When you feel stuck and little seems to change, humans tend to fall into one of two ditches. Some people dig in and determine to “try harder.” Other people give up. And sometimes you go from one extreme to the other, and back again. So what really is your role? Are you hoping or doing for your breakthrough?

When I was a college student and my heart was troubled, I remember walking up the hill behind my parent’s home and crumbling in tears. “God, what’s your role? And what’s my role? If You would just tell me that, I’ll do it!”

I had a lot of growing up to do. And it wasn’t until some years later that I learned the principle of cooperating together with God. I was fascinated by the scientific research that demonstrates how much better people do when facing their problems from that perspective. And I came to understand Paul’s statement in Philippians:

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

God works. And we work.

Trying Harder Versus Giving Up

Praying and praying and praying, and getting no results. Perhaps that’s where you’ve been. And you feel worn out. Discouraged. Why doesn’t God “fix” things?

One day you’re struggling hard, trying to wrestle your mind into focusing instead of dissolving into fear. Or fighting hard to not look at porn. Or searching for yet another way to get your spouse to talk to you. You’re praying hard too.

And the next day you feel like giving up. If God wanted to help, He could, right? Since I can’t fix this, and God won’t fix it, I must be doomed. Why struggle any longer? This must be what my life is going to look like.

You’ve heard that it’s insanity to keep doing the same things and expecting different results.

I know what it feels like to be confused, discouraged, and worn out from trying harder – and then trying not to give up.

And I’ve finally come to see how trying harder and giving up are really two sides of the same coin. And it’s where humans will always end up – unless.

Unless we learn to cooperate with God.

God won’t do it without us.

And we certainly can’t do it on our own.

Wishing Versus Doing

Wishing is empty. And it’s quite different from hope. Wishing says, wouldn’t it be nice if …?

Hoping is different; hope acts.

Wishing never changed anything. It’s fine to wish your mind were clear, your addiction was gone, your marriage was more satisfying.

But until you act, nothing changes.

That doesn’t mean your actions do it all. That’s why simply “trying harder” never works.

But when your actions are cooperating with God, things can change. Things do change.

And that’s what you will experience in the Powerful Breakthrough Prayers online course.

You’ll not only learn what I learned as God brought me out of my severe distress years ago. You’ll not only engage in Bible study, and see the scientific foundation that supports these powerful Biblical principles.

And you’ll actually do the things that lead to breakthrough. You’ll actually cooperate with God. You’ll hear His voice and take the steps that change things.

The things that change for you will start on the inside. You’ll be empowered to stand up, step up, and become the next level of who God created you to be.

And that change on the inside is almost certain to change things on the outside. Actually cooperating with God gives Him so much greater opportunity to do the things He delights to do in and for and through you.

And along the way you’ll feel the easy yoke and light burden Jesus talked about. (Matthew 11:30)

So won’t you register for the Powerful Breakthrough Prayers online course right now?

If you’re reading this when it’s first published, we just started our weekly live Zoom calls on Tuesday. But it’s not too late to join us! If you register now, I’ll walk you through the course material and help you make this real in your own life.

And I look forward to hearing about your breakthrough in the coming weeks.

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• Wishing is different from hoping. Hoping includes DOING. There’s something powerful about cooperating WITH God – and experiencing your breakthrough!  Tweet that.