NEVER Give Up!!!

We have no control over most outcomes in life. We do our best to influence them: eat right to stay healthy; drive carefully to avoid an accident; invest wisely to accumulate a net worth -- we try to influence outcomes, but we can't control them. Sometimes we get sick anyway, sometimes the car wreck isn't our fault, sometimes seemingly good investments go south.

While you can't control outcomes, there is one thing that is biblically guaranteed to work in your favor every time. What is it?

Perseverance.

Stick-to-it-iveness.

The habit of getting back up and trying one more time. I can't control results, but I can control whether or not I quit. No one else can make that decision for me. It's mine alone.

The story is told that Andrew Jackson's boyhood friends just couldn't understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson's friends said, "Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now."

Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn't they usually say three times and out?" "Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat -- he would never stay 'throwed.' Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner."

Picking up on that idea, someone has said, "The thing that counts is not how many times you are 'throwed,' but whether you are willing to stay 'throwed'." We may face setbacks, but we must take courage and go forward in faith. Then, with God's help, we can be the eventual victor. Persevering is something anyone can do. The longer you do it, the stronger you get, and the more likely you are to succeed.

A great friend of mine has submitted data annually for over 15 years in anticipation of being selected to perform before a gathering of his peers. In over 15 years he hasn't been chosen. But he's submitting data again this year, in just a few days. Why? Isn't 15 rejections enough to make him quit. Nope. He's determined to keep at it until he gets the call to come and perform.

My encouragement to you today is simple: PERSEVERE!! Don't give up. I have a picture of a large bird with a frog in it's beak. The frog is using it's front legs to squeeze the throat of the bird, making it impossible to swallow him. The title of the picture is "Never Give Up" (See it here: http://www.logobrand.com/images/bandw_never_give_up.jpg) You'll always have the chance to quit or give up. Don't take it! Quitting may seem easier, but perseverance pays off.

The Bible says it this way in Galatians 6:9, "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time." Begin this week determined to keep doing good. Let it not make us weary. There's a harvest waiting if we don't give up.

PC