One of Winston Churchill’s most legendary speeches came after series of devastating defeats in Europe.  His country was in the heat of the Battle of Brittan and he said, “Never give in, never give in.  Never, never, never, never – in nothing great, small or petty – never give in.”  His words inspired a nation standing on the brink of destruction.  Alone in Europe against overwhelming odds Churchill stared down Hitler as he threatened invasion time and time again.  Churchill never, never, never, never gave in!  His courage inspired the English to victory!

Too many times in my life I have seen people give in or give up too quickly.  How many times have I heard people say, “God said” only later to hear that God changed his mind?  How many marriages have ended in divorce because one of both parties gave in too quickly?  How many people have given in to the pain of sickness or disease and died hours before a turn around?  How many great ideas have failed because they were never acted upon or given up before proving themselves?  How many people have entered eternity without their reward because they gave in to the circumstance, peer pressure and the status quo never achieving what the Lord had for them?

Paul gives us the Word of God in Hebrews 12:1-4 on how to finish our race never giving in to the negative circumstances or demonic attacks:

• Analyze and investigate others that have gone where you want to go.
• Stop everything that would distract you, slow you down or take you off course.
• Know that the devil knows exactly what would cause you to quit.
• Understand that time is a necessary ingredient to success.

• Jesus wrote your life plan and he has empowered you to fulfill it.
• Look past the reasons to quit to the thrill of victory waiting on the other side.
• Draw energy and strength from the forces arrayed against you.
• Hate the resistance but love the challenge
• Use Jesus as your ultimate example; He overcame the world in his quest for the throne even though it caused his own blood to flow.

As a missionary I have had wonderful opportunities to quit!  Living in another country, speaking another language and dealing with different customs have brought me to my knees in frustration many times.

I have come to understand that worry is one of the devil’s greatest weapons.  It creates anxiety and gives birth to doubt and unbelief.  It destroys self confidence and opens the door to discouragement!  Worry is nothing more than belief in an undetermined future event.  I believe more people have given up because of worry, the mere anticipation of failure, than failure itself.

To stay in the fight and finish strong one must understand that worry is nothing but torment from the devil; it is never an alert from God. God does not communicate that way.

If the devil was going to do anything to you he would never warn you; he would just do it.  Remember Goliath screamed and threatened but he never killed anyone.  The temptation to worry then actually brings relief because it reveals that the devil is incapable of defeating you.

Faith never quits it out lives the problem!

Rocky J. Malloy