11/03/2024
Don't give up!
'We don't give up and quit.' 2 Corinthians 4:8
Here are some reasons we may give up on something:
(1) We fear failure. Past hurts and mistakes haunt us, and we'd rather not try than risk failing. Let's put past mistakes and regrets behind us and refuse to be held back by them, especially when God's telling us it's time to move forward. Paul wrote, 'I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead' (Philippians 3:13 CEV).
(2) We worry what people will say. 'Fear of man brings a snare' (Proverbs 29:25 NKJV). There will always be people who won't like or understand us and what we do. The opinion that matters most is God's.
(3) We listen to the wrong voices. Satan is the 'father of lies' (see John 8:44), and he'll do all he can to discourage us. Paul said, 'We destroy people's arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ' (2 Corinthians 10:45).
(4) We lose focus. As believers, we should walk by faith, not by sight (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). That means making every decision based on what God says and not what we see with our natural eyes.
(5) We lose touch with other believers. When the apostles got out of jail, they went back to 'their own group' (Acts 4:23). We need fellowship with other Christians to stay strong.
Keep going, and don't even think of giving up! You may be just on the edge of breakthrough or an amazing discovery.