Don't Lose Heart

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18‬:‭1,‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Have you ever struggled not to lose heart?

Losing heart doesn’t come from an intellectual standpoint, it comes from a heart standpoint—we start to lose heart. We hear (and believe!) the promises of God, but somewhere deep inside—when we go through an extended season of trial or hardship—we struggle with doubt that those promises are going to come to pass for us. 

We believe God makes paths straight, but we fear He’s not going to make our path straight.

We believe he supplies all needs, but we fear He’s not going to supply our needs.

We believe there will be a harvest to be reaped on earth for those who don’t give up, but we fear we won’t reap a harvest.

And on and on and on.

Basically, in our heart, we battle the fear that somehow we’re the exception to the promise.

So what do we do when we find ourselves in a battle not to lose heart?

We pray—always. 

Luke said Jesus told the parable to show them that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 

So we pray. All the time. Every time a thought of doubt or worry tries to creep into our mind, we talk to God about it.

Just as Luke cited prayer as the antidote for losing heart in this verse, so did Paul cite prayer as the antidote for worry in Philippians 4:6 when he said, “do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

What’s the antidote for worry and anxiety? 

Prayer. Talking to God.

What’s the antidote for losing heart? 

Prayer. Talking to God.

Sometimes prayer is simply declaring things like, “Lord, I trust You. Lord, I believe you. Lord, help.” In fact, in times of intense trial and hardship, times when we’re struggling not to lose heart, this is often what prayer looks like. 

So today, if that’s you, then just know these two things: 

1. Jesus understands. He knew His people would, at times, struggle not to lose heart. 

2. He wants you to talk to Him about it.

Oh Lord, thank You for Your promises. Thank You that You have so much grace for our humanity, and help us to remember to go to You with everything—all the time. Help those who are struggling not to lose heart today. Give them a renewed determination to pray always, and meet them in that place with Your peace that surpasses understanding. Amen.