There are moments when you pray for so long that you begin to wonder whether heaven has heard you.
But sometimes, what looks like a wasted season is preparation for a moment you cannot yet see.
DO NOT GIVE UP.
A STORY OF ADANA-MBA
There was a young man named ADANA-MBA, meaning DO NOT DESPAIR.
His parents waited fifteen years before he was born. His father, ECHI-DIME, meaning TOMORROW IS PREGNANT, believed that the boy was dedicated to God and would become a pastor.
After completing his higher institution, Adana-Mba entered ministry.
He prayed, fasted, preached, and worked tirelessly.
But for eight years, he had only three members.
Eventually, discouraged, he left the ministry and joined some masons to work.
One day, while returning home, he saw a crippled man. God impressed upon him to pray for the man.
At first, he refused.
He remembered his eight years of ministry without visible results and said, in effect, “I have tried this before.”
But God insisted.
Eventually, he prayed.
And the crippled man walked.
The man later joined him, and Adana-Mba returned to ministry.
Within a short time, the ministry began to grow mightily.
He finally understood the meaning of his name:
ADANA-MBA: DO NOT DESPAIR.
He also understood his father’s name:
ECHI-DIME-TOMORROW IS PREGNANT.
The eight years were not the end of his story.
THE LESSON
Sometimes you are tempted to give up just before the season changes.
You may see no evidence, no growth, and no reason to continue.
But remember:
WHAT YOU SEE TODAY MAY NOT BE THE FULL STORY OF WHAT GOD IS DOING.
You may have prayed for years.
You may have tried and failed repeatedly.
You may even have concluded that God has forgotten you.
But do not give up.
Your present condition is not necessarily your final destination.
There are things God can do in one day that years of human effort could not accomplish.
One encounter can change a life.
One opportunity can change a career.
One connection can change a ministry.
One instruction from God can change a family.
One miracle can restore your confidence.
One season can transform everything.
SCRIPTURE
GALATIANS 6:9 KJV
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Sometimes the greatest battle is not against the problem.
Sometimes it is against the temptation to quit.
ECCLESIASTES 3:11 KJV
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.”
IN HIS TIME.
Not your time.
Not the crowd’s time.
Not the time you expected.
His time.
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
Perhaps you are tired.
Perhaps you have already decided to quit.
Perhaps you have prayed until you no longer know what else to say.
Remember ADANA-MBA.
DO NOT DESPAIR.
Remember ECHI-DIME.
TOMORROW IS PREGNANT.
There may be something inside tomorrow that today cannot yet see.
Do not allow today’s disappointment to cancel tomorrow’s possibility.
Your story is not over.
DO NOT GIVE UP.
DO NOT DESPAIR.
TOMORROW IS PREGNANT.
PRAYER
Lord, strengthen everyone who is tired, discouraged, and ready to give up. Give them grace to continue, wisdom to recognize Your instruction, and faith to believe that their present situation is not the end of their story. Amen.
AUTHOR’S QUOTE
NEVER LET THE LENGTH OF YOUR WAITING MAKE YOU DOUBT THE POSSIBILITY OF YOUR BREAKTHROUGH.
