I Can't Do This

Listen to Today's Devotion

It was our first year at TFA. Everything was new, and I was struggling. Steve had taken over a school that required a tremendous amount of time, energy, and attention. Amanda and Stephen were homesick, crying themselves to sleep many nights. Caleb was having health issues. We were living in a rental condo, and I was desperately trying to find a place that could be a permanent home. In my effort to take care of everyone else, I was running on empty.

Many days I felt helpless and would say, "I can't do this." I must have said it out loud more than I realized because one day, I heard two-year-old Caleb say, "I can't do this," while playing in his bedroom. I was so convicted. My baby only listened to my complaints. He didn't hear anything about God's provision and promises. I changed my lament to "I can't do this… without You, Jesus!"

The Psalmist knew what I was going through. In Psalm 42, he talks about his tears, crying out, his downcast soul, and mourning to the point of physical pain. He brackets his sorrows by remembering the joy and unfailing love of the Lord. He finishes by saying, "I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again. He's my Savior and my God!"

Where are you on your journey? Feeling overwhelmed and discouraged? Have you found yourself feeling like you just can't do this anymore? Let me encourage you to tack on the same three words that I did. By faith, He will take you from surviving to thriving.

With Jesus,
Tricia Whitaker

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