Daily Devotional – 10/9/18 “Getting up is the hardest part!”

I had to be at work “earlier” because I am facilitating a training class for the next two days. Sure, I get nervous every time I have to stand in front of people (even when I preach) but that’s not the issue. No, the real issue is getting up earlier. Baby, it’s a struggle because I stay up at night. However, here is what I’ve realized. The hardest part is getting up. What do I mean? Well, once my legs are over the side of the bed, my feet touch the floor and I get that one good stretch in; I am good. The hardest part is getting up. What does this mean for you, the person reading this? It’s simple really … the hardest part is getting up. Yea, you’re struggling to get out of debt, sickness, a bad relationship, a dead-end job or maybe your spiritual war but the hardest part is getting up. Why? Because it’s easy to lay back down. It’s easy to turn over and pull the cover over your head. It’s easy to close your eyes and pretend it don’t exist but it’s hard getting up because then you’ll have to face the reality of your day and/or your problem(s). Yet the blessing is, when you face what you’ve been running from, you now have a chance to be free from it.

I know you’re tired but it’s time you get up. I know it hurts but it’s time you got up. I know your surroundings look dim but it’s time you get up. I know it doesn’t look as if things will work out but it’s time you got up. Swing them legs over the side of your bed (burdens, emptiness and destruction), put your feet on the floor, stand up, get a good stretch in and go forward. The hardest part is getting up but once you’re up, move because although you fall, the failure is in not getting up. This is why the word tells me that I am, “persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:9).” The hardest part is getting up but getting up is where you blessing is. Bible says, “take up your mat and walk.” Yea, the hardest part is getting up but Bible says, “your faith has made you well, go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” The hardest part, beloved, is getting up but when you do, stretch and then go forth to conquer the world.