SHERYL H. BOLDT

God will never quit on us

By SHERYL H. BOLDT

My daughter Wendy stood in her wedding gown before the full-length mirror. She and her bridesmaids chatted excitedly as they prepared for the very important day.
I wanted to join in. As the mother-of-the-bride, I should โ€“ should what? I panicked. I didnโ€™t feel ready for this responsibility. Only a few months earlier, I had begun my journey out of decades of severe chronic anxiety disorder.
I tried to say something mother-of-the-bride-ish, but instead I just stood there โ€“ almost unable to move or speak. The familiar panic swooped down on me, catching me off guard. After years in and out of mental hospitals, my confidence was gone.
Taking a deep breath and forcing my feet to move as I walked across the room, I pretended to search for something in my purse.
Thankfully, my sister Teri entered the room. I mouthed โ€œhelp.โ€ My hands wouldnโ€™t stop shaking. Recognizing the situation, she discreetly coached me through everything I needed to do over the next several hours.
I felt disappointed that I wasnโ€™t where I wanted to be emotionally, but I thanked God that I was at least better than I had been a few months earlier. A reassuring peace settled over me, knowing Iโ€™d be even stronger a few months down the road.
As I was learning to trust Godโ€™s Word โ€“ rather than live by my emotions โ€“ I felt confident that He was finally beginning His miracle. He was helping me become the stable person I had prayed to be for so many years. And now, many years later, I rejoice in His finished work!
Well โ€“ almost finished work. He still has more work to do in me.
Philippians 1:6 (ESV) says, โ€œAnd I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.โ€
God will never stop working in us to make us the person He has designed us to be. He will perfect any area of our lives that isnโ€™t fully surrendered to Him. I firmly believe that as we place our trust in His Word and yield to His grace, weโ€™ll see Him bring about dramatic changes in us.
Even when we donโ€™t see changes as quickly as we would like, itโ€™s nice to know He doesnโ€™t quit on us.
And He never will.

Sheryl H. Boldt is a sales executive for Wave 94 and author of the blog, TodayCanBeDifferent.net. Connect with her at SherylHBoldt.Wave94@gmail.com.