My little Yorkie Toby is a hunter. Last summer he cornered a frog under our rain barrel. I pulled him away before he could get to it. From then till cold weather, every day he went back to that spot looking for that frog. Now that we are getting spurts of warm weather this Spring, he is back on  the mission. He is again returning to that same corner daily looking for that frog. “Honey, that frog is long gone!”

Frogs are interesting creatures who persevere pretty well. They drink water through their skin and can jump 20 times their body length. Their eyes and mouths are on top of the bodies so they can basically live submerged in water. When they eat their prey, closing their eyes pushes the food down their throats. Common frogs lay 3,000-6,000 eggs at one time.

This cartoon has been hanging around in my stuff for years. I pull it out from time to time when I need encouragement and motivation. I love this frog’s determination, and I can so relate to him. Too many times, like him, I have felt that I was being completely swallowed up by life’s struggles. Too often, the enemy has hunted me down. More times than I can count, I have felt defeated.  Like this frog, I am determined to never give up. You shouldn’t give up either. No matter what!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

The key to true perseverance is looking to Christ as the source of our strength, because He will stand by us and help us through. We can ALWAYS find hope in Him–in His Word, in what He has already done for us, and by seeking Him in prayer.

I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 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 40:29-31

This little guy sits in my kitchen to remind me. To persevere and have strength in this life, it is simple…

FROG: F-ully R-ely O-n G-od

Dear Lord: Thank You for always being there for us. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We can be more than conquerors through Him.  Because of this, help us to remember that You should be who we call on first, not last, when trouble comes. Thank You that You are our refuge and our strength. Amen

Has the battle made you tired? Is life trying to swallow you up? God will help you through. Just rely on Him. Please share your encouragement, experiences, and thoughts with our readers.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God bless and strengthen you as you persevere through this life. His help is always just a whisper away.