"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6.9 NKJV).
There are some seasons that literally every day feels like walking through quicksand.
Waking up is difficult. Working is difficult. Thinking is difficult. Doing daily tasks is difficult. And not to mention trying to fulfill our God-given destiny with gusto and energy--that seems impossible!
Many people experienced these seasons in the Bible. Joseph left slavery only to be stuck in jail for years. I'm sure he felt like he was walking in quicksand, wondering when God was going to come through for him. However, after around 13 years, God finally gave Joseph a mighty breakthrough.
"The name of the second he called Ephraim, 'For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction'" (Genesis 41.52 ESV).
Moses led a murmuring people who complained and were never satisfied. It must have felt like he was not only walking on quicksand but also had quicksand falling over his head. But finally, after 40 years, Moses got to witness the people finally enter into their Promised Land (Deuteronomy 3.27-28 & Joshua 5.6).
"So Moses said to the Lord, 'Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me?'" (Numbers 11.11 NKJV).
David was an outcast from the very country he was promised by God to lead and pursued by the current king wanting to end his life. Even David's men turned on him at the end and wanted to stone him.
"Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30.6NKJV).
And Paul was constantly oppressed, in danger, beaten, criticized, jailed, shipwrecked and misunderstood. His entire ministry was like walking in quicksand, but he wouldn't give up (2 Corinthians 4:8-11 & 2 Corinthians 11:25-26).
"Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9.26-27 NKJV).
It is said that the darkest moments are just before the dawn.
Maybe this quicksand season is only moments away from your breakthrough. We need to be like Joseph, Moses, David and Paul and not give up. David learned to "Strengthen himself in the Lord his God." There will be times in our lives where we will only find comfort in Him.
Distractions, substances, purchases, vacations and/or people may give us momentary relief, but God has an endless supply of love, joy, hope and peace He wants to give us. We simply need to learn to tap into it.
We can trust that the "quicksand" season won't last forever, and there will be a breakthrough on the other side of it.
The dawn will come, and we shall reap a harvest of blessings. Then we will rejoice that we didn't give up, lose heart or waiver in our courage. Strengthen yourself in the Lord. God is walking beside you every step of the way.
"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30.5 NIV).