KEEP TRYING


I remember when I was growing up, as a young child I would often say “I can’t!”
I’m not sure what it was that held me back from thinking that I could do things. Maybe because deep inside me I felt very shy, I was quiet and lacked confidence.

I recall when I was about 5 years old in Primary School, at parents evening my teacher spoke to my grandmother about my progress. “I know she knows the answers, her work is good, but she just won’t put up her hand in class” she said. “She needs to speak in class.”
My teacher asked my grandmother to encourage me.

My wise grandmother was always encouraging me to “try”.
“There is no such thing as can’t…” she would tell me instead to say “I will try”.
She also reminded me constantly “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.”
My grandmother was helping me to understand that I would never succeed in life if I believed I couldn’t do things, and never tried to do things that I found difficult. Instead of saying “I can’t “, she wanted me to learn to persevere and keep trying to succeed. To push forward and not give up.

A wise proverb says “As he thinks in his heart so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7. NKJV)
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (Proverbs 4:23 GNT).
Let us be more mindful about the way we think about ourselves. For those of you who are a bit like me and may be inclined at times to lack confidence in your ability, the negative self-talk of “I can’t “ will have an effect on us, stopping us from achieving the things that we could if only we would “try”, and if necessary keep on trying! What you tell yourself you can or can’t do will drive you forward or paralyse you.

When I begin to think “I can’t “I start to counter those thoughts with these words –
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13
I have found it encouraging to know that whatever challenge I face, I don’t have to manage it all alone, I try my best and I can call on Christ, for His strength to help me too. Together we can make it through. I hope that this thought will encourage you too.