NEVER GIVE UP

On December 1, I committed to writing a daily devotional for twenty-five days. Since I had written Christmas devotionals, I didn’t anticipate not being able to meet the daily deadline. However, life got in the way, and this morning when I woke up, I needed five devotionals to accomplish my goal.

People remember you for what you finish, not what you start. After teaching for three days at this year’s retreat, Don’t Give Up! Rise Up! And Turn Your Adversity into Advancement, how could I NOT finish these devotionals?

As I’m writing Day 24, I’m rejoicing that I didn’t give up. God rewarded Simeon’s tenacity to wait until he saw God’s salvation. Do you suppose that as he visited the temple day by day, he wondered when God would answer his prayer?

And what about Anna? After being married for seven years, at the age of twenty, she is widowed. If anyone had adequate reason to quit, Anna did. But instead, she chose to serve God day and night through fasting and prayer for eighty-four years. Her reward? Like Simeon, she saw the Christ child. (Luke 2:25-38)

Every successful person has faced the giant named Quit, forcing them to make a choice. Go forward or retreat. Since they’re successful, what choice do you think they made?

If you’re on the verge of quitting, perhaps these reasons will encourage you.

1)  GIVE YOURSELF TIME. At the appointed time, whatsoever you sow, you WILL reap results. Remember, God didn’t create the world in one day. – Galatians 6:7-9

2)  SUCCESS ISN’T BEHIND YOU, IT’S AHEAD OF YOU. So, keep going, one step at a time. – Philippians 3:13-14

3)  BE MORE LIKE JESUS and press forward towards your God-ordained “IT IS FINISHED.” (God designed us to be ACCOMPLISHERS, not to stop in midstream.) John 4:34, 19:30

4)  DEPEND LESS ON YOURSELF AND MORE ON GOD’S EVERLASTING STRENGTH. With God’s help, you can do ALL things – Isaiah 26:4

5)  TAP INTO YOUR ENGERGZER—JOY. Jesus, for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Paul desired to “finish his course with JOY” (Acts 20:24). Envision your goal, not the obstacles.

6)  BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you DIDN’T do more than you DID.” (John Mason) Every highway of human life dips in the valley now and then. Every man must go through the tunnel of tribulation before he can travel on the elevated road of triumph.”[i]

7)  SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE IS DEPENDING ON YOU TO FINISH YOUR COURSE. Little do we know the impact we have on others simply because we didn’t quit. God allowed me to publish a book this past year. Many people, after learning about my book, said to me, “You inspire me. God impressed upon me to write a book.” It’s essential to keep going because, whether we know it or not, others are following our path. Do we want to lead them to a dead end or to a path that never ends?

THE KEY TO A MERRY CHRISTMAS IS DETERMINING NEVER TO QUIT

While you’re waiting for those cookies to cool, how about taking a little R&R and reflecting on these thoughts on how to keep moving forward?

1.  Next time you’re tempted to quit, ask yourself, “What’s going on? Am I tired? Am I focusing on the wrong goals? What is God trying to teach me in this moment? What should I do differently? Do I need a nap? Do I need to ask for help? Have I taken on too many obligations?

2.  After figuring out the reason for the discouragement, take the appropriate action.  And remember, what God begins in you, HE will complete.

You have this, my friend! I believe in you!

Write your prayer and action plan and go forward in faith! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[i] STREAMS IN THE DESERT, April 28