Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

This passage popped into my mind last week when I was leaving the gym. I’d enjoyed another good workout. The fruit of my labor was going to show up on my Fitbit steps. But once I got home and started working on my newest WIP, the cursor just blinked at me.

Nothing.

What happened to all those lovely endorphins?

To be honest, I’ve had a hard time focusing on my current project. At first I thought it was because I’m just easing my way into a new story, figuring out my characters, which is all part of the process. But this felt like more.

I decided to take a break and pray. Soon, I realized why I was having difficulty. With all that’s been going on in the world, I haven’t relied on my time with the Lord, or been in the Word, as much as I should. Every time I turn on the television or pick up my phone, it’s something else. As the scripture above reminded me, I hadn’t thrown off the things that hinder me. It shouldn’t have been a major revelation, but sometimes it’s the subtle things that slip us up. We can be our own worst enemy.

I’ll admit, I’ve grown tired of the news cycle. But as I started finding scriptures to address what I was feeling, I couldn’t help but be reminded that Jesus has conquered the power of our weakness.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary,
 they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40: 30-31

I love the wording in The Message Bible.

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

God doesn’t come and go. He lasts.

Through all the uncertainty, unrest, stressful situations and times of doubt, God lasts.

This was what I needed to be reminded of. We’re all human. We all get overwhelmed. But we serve a God who is bigger than the circumstances. Who knows what will happen tomorrow. Who loves us all beyond reason.

How could I not be refreshed after remembering who God is? Who he has always been?

So I decided to run with perseverance. To continue a course of action in spite of difficulty, as defined in the dictionary. Armed with the reminder that the Lord won’t leave nor forsake me, I discovered I could once again focus. A day later I jumped back into my project. This time, words filled the page, much to my relief. A writer without words is in big trouble!

If you are feeling overwhelmed or down in the dumps, or if you have a good attitude and happily go through your day, I hope these scriptures will encourage you to remember that God doesn’t come and go. He lasts.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her Harlequin Heartwarming romance, ALWAYS THE ONE, available now. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.