Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Legendary baseball player Babe Ruth once said, “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” We must convince ourselves of this. We must instill this in our children. As we prepare our children for the path, and not the path for our children, we have to remind them that life is not always easy but we must persevere.
Jesus told his closest disciples in John 16:33 “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He was assuring them that life was not going to be easy. In fact, they were going to face extreme adversity and all but one of them would die because of their faith. We may not face the type of severe persecution that they endured, but we face many difficulties in life that may make us want to give up. Paul told the church at Rome, in Romans 5:3-5 “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint” And in Romans 15:4, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
The scriptures talk frequently about adding to, and building, our perseverance. The more we study, the more we learn the secret of life is to fall seven times and get up eight times. We have a greater hope. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Whatever life deals us, we can endure.
We must also persevere when trying to reach our goals. Ross Perot once said, “most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line.” I was reminded so clearly recently, that when you fight for your dreams, you work hard, and persevere, you can achieve more than you ever imagined.
Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.
