Don’t give up forever…

4–6 minutes

Quote: Jim Valvano
“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

If you are a college basketball fan you might recognize that admonition from a well-known coach who fought hard against cancer until the very end.

He was an encourager and coached us all to live to the full, whether a player or a fan. He coached us to keep living, loving, and doing good.

“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”
Jim Valvano

It’s easy to give up. I’ve said, “I quit!” so many times that my dear man just laughs. He knows that means I’m done for today or maybe for the next 30 minutes.

He knows that I get frustrated. He knows I just need to sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, put my feet up and breathe. Maybe I need a walk and talk with Jesus. Perhaps a float over at the neighborhood pool.

Take a break. Get a nap. Have a snack. Rest. Put down your frustration for a few minutes. Start over tomorrow.

It’s easy to quit. But then again it’s not. Because with fresh eyes and a renewed energy you realize that quitting isn’t about you. Quitting leaves someone else in a lurch. If you’re not fulfilling the purpose for which you were designed, who will.

““Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭41‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Of course, we need to be more like Mary, and sit at the feet of Jesus. He fills our cup, and teaches us what we need to know. However, we need to be Marthas too. We need her serving and being whole because she knows Jesus is with her.

Don’t quit! Just take a break…refresh. Rest. Get a snack, and then get back in the game!

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

Lisa

Something to ponder with Jesus:

“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As you read this scripture above with more context, what words are highlighted to you?

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As you ponder your reason(s) for wanting to give up, write it down in a journal and say it out loud. This is called confession. Just admit what is true. You want to quit.

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But don’t stop pondering there. Why do you want to quit? Write it down.

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I will give you an example from my own life. Perhaps I said yes to a large task. I want to work on this task because I want to help people and use my gifts, and I want to glorify God. It’s a large task and I feel overwhelmed. I don’t know where to start. I feel inadequate. I feel like I’m spinning my wheels.

I want to quit. I feel frustrated and I see myself as failing. They don’t need me anyway. Someone else could do this better.

Sound familiar?

When I go back to the scriptures though, these words jump off the page:

“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

And I think of Martha… and I remember that I need to first sit or take a walk with Jesus and ask for His help. I need to first seek His face and listen for His heart for this task. Am I doing this task for God?

Once I catch His vision for how He wants me to pursue this task, I am refreshed. I feel the peace of His presence and assurance that He is with me.

I will also confess that much of what I was thinking was not true. I’m not a failure. I’m not inadequate. It’s not true that I’m not needed.

And I confess that I was spinning my wheels. My negative thoughts were swirling. And so in a way, I did need to quit. I needed to stop the spin cycle of rehearsing lies to myself. I needed to go back to the rinse and soak for a while.

Mary time with Jesus is essential. And then Martha energy is needed. I can’t quit. I will leave people in a lurch. Now I can move forward to fulfill scripture’s admonition.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing us so well. Open our eyes to see You waiting for us to take a break. Thank You for sorting thoughts and emotions with us. Thank You for loving us first. I love you too.

Keep going with Jesus… keeping in step with His Spirit…

Eyes on Jesus… you will shine.

~ Lisa

“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

Psalm 34:5