Why I don't give up...

No matter what's going on in my life, there has always been opportunities to give up on something. We've all been there. Whether it's learning to overcome my fears or just facing everyday challenges, life can sometimes get hard, challenges come. We face situations, that at the time, seem impossible to overcome. The only thing that has helped me overcome those challenges time and time again is faith in God. Matthew 19:26 says, "With God all things are possible." I don't think it's just a nice saying, I truly believe that.

Jesus never promised us this life would be easy--John 16:33 says, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." He gave us instructions on how to handle trials and tests. Believe me, I'm going through some tough things right now, and it's not easy. But I try to look at things from God's perspective.
James 1:2-7, & 12 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

It says that we must let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything...many people don't get that far because they give up too soon. It also says we must believe and not doubt, otherwise we shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord. God responds to people's faith. Many times in the gospels, Jesus says to someone he just healed, "Your faith has made you whole."

Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." It doesn't matter who we are, hard times will come to all of us...but there are those who constantly struggle and can't seem to break through. Then there are those who come through to the other side victorious. I used to walk around with a defeated attitude and things would get me down easily. I believed in God but I didn't trust Him and certainly wasn't confident in my own abilities. I struggled. I finally found out who I was in Christ and realized that my faith and prayers could make a difference. I wasn't going to give up when things got hard. and in the end, where would that get me anyways? I've never seen anything good come from someone giving up.

Not only do we have a loving God who wants to bless us, but we also have an enemy (satan) who wants to destroy our lives. John 10:10 says, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. James 4:7 also says, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Peter 5:8 says,"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." As Christians we are not immune to the devils attacks, but we can overcome those attacks with God's help. I believe our prayers (when we have faith) are powerful. Mark 11:22-26 says, "Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. James 5:16-17 says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!"

God is not out to get us. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." Romans 8:28-31 says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"

Philipians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." All these scriptures encourage me that I can overcome the challenges this life throws at me. I really can't imagine trying to live this life on my own without God's help. Things may be going great for someone for a while, but sooner or later we all have challenges to deal with. I want and need God's help when those times come. He's the reason I don't give up.