Keep at it!
How did you learn to ride a bike? You probably had a small kid’s bike with training wheels to practice with. Do you have memories of the first time you tried it without training wheels? Maybe with your father or mother behind you, stabilizing, cheering you on, and then letting go without you realizing it right away? Do you remember how many times you fell, scraped your knees, and how many times you tried again anyway? And again, and again…
How much motivation does a child need until it can talk, walk, ride a bike? Children want to discover life with everything it has to offer. They are curious and motivated. How often do they fall, fail, make mistakes until they have learned something! And yet it is natural for children to try again and again, they always want to learn something new. Childhood is made up of practicing and learning. That’s amazing!
When I look at us as adults, I sometimes get the feeling we think we’re done learning. We lose motivation to try new things; we’re afraid of failing and trying again. We are embarrassed to make mistakes and not know how to do something yet. Where has our curiosity and our motivation, our desire to try new things gone? Do we feel like we know everything or are we too discouraged and afraid of the uncertainty that newness brings?
I believe God wants us to be like children, curious about life and curious about what God still has in store for us. I believe he wants to encourage us even today, to practice with us, to help us and to rejoice when we get the hang of it. He stands behind us and is happy when we dare to take steps and keep at it!
Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 GW
For a victory or to win a medal, an athlete endures many hours of practice and hardships. My goal is not a medal in sports, but my relationship with God and eternal life. For this, it is even more worthwhile to have patience and perseverance – with others and with myself. It is worthwhile not to give up right after the first attempts. It is worthwhile to keep at it, even if my development seems much too slow and I have to accept setbacks again and again. Do I have the feeling “I can’t do it” with certain things? When something doesn’t work out – do I assume that I’m just not capable or that I can’t manage to change?
Maybe I just need to practice and be patient with myself….
… when I have said hurtful words again
… when I am silent, although there are things that should be said
… when I fail again and again in the same situation
… when I have not listened to my inner voice
… when I wasn’t patient
… when I am criticized
… when I neglect myself
… when I am ashamed that I have made mistakes
… when I can’t do something, but would like to be able to do it
Pray for it and keep at it!
Studies have shown that people who encourage themselves learn faster! That means: motivate yourself instead of criticizing yourself when something doesn’t work yet. And look at your strengths, not always at your weaknesses! You are a “work in progress”.
You have a patient divine daddy behind you, spurring you on and helping you. Go to him for encouragement! Trust that you will always get better and more mature as you pray and keep at it. Stay curious and look forward to learning new things! Read books, listen to podcasts, look at people who can do what you want to be able to do. Trust that you’re just not done yet and still need to practice.
