Psalm 56:11 (NLT) --- I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
You have been there, and so have I. It is the time when we wanted to throw in the towel and sick the last song. Maybe it comes from being tired, from fighting too long or from being depressed. Yet we have to learn lessons about when to give up.
Winston Churchill in his now famous 1941 speech at Harrow School shocked the crowd by giving a short challenge. Here is what the gifted leader said: "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give in. Never give in. Never give in. Never give in." With those words, he sat down. What a powerful word!
Whether we want to give in to other's demands or give up what we are doing, it is time we hear some truth that God would have us to hear and take it to heart.
This past week I learned a huge lesson from one of my children about giving up. For three weeks we had gone toe to toe over her memorizing her verses for AWANA. Her mom and I had to serious about helping her learn. She tried to fight us, but she finally gave in and began to learn her verses (and they were long ones). She studied for three days and had them ready to share. She did great. That Wednesday evening I got in from church to find a note on the refrigerator from my precious oldest child. Here is what it said: "Daddy from Rebecca (on the outside). I said all my verses, but next week's is longer and harder. But I am going to try my heart out. Love Rebecca." The note is still on my dressor (I looked at again this morning). This child of mine taught me some huge lessons about never giving in and never giving up.
When we think we have lost, keep on. When we think we cannot win or cannot learn, do some more.
Romans 16:25 (NLT) --- Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says...
In my e-mail inbox this morning I found this quote that I close with (and praise God for reminders to 'never give in'):
"When the pain gets so bad that you're ready to quit you've set yourself up as someone with nothing to lose. And someone with nothing to lose has quite a bit of power. You can go for broke. Challenge authority. Attempt unattempted alternatives. Lean into the problem; lean so far that you might just lean right through it." Seth Godin, author of The Dip (May 2007, Portfolio) as quoted on the Idea Sandbox (February 15, 2007) and copied from Tony Morgan.
"When the pain gets so bad that you're ready to quit you've set yourself up as someone with nothing to lose. And someone with nothing to lose has quite a bit of power. You can go for broke. Challenge authority. Attempt unattempted alternatives. Lean into the problem; lean so far that you might just lean right through it." Seth Godin, author of The Dip (May 2007, Portfolio) as quoted on the Idea Sandbox (February 15, 2007) and copied from Tony Morgan.
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