Don’t Give-in. Don’t Give-up. Don’t Quit.

“She had so much potential” Those were the words of her classmates. A beautiful young girl had taken her life although she was on the brink of a bright future — a senior in high school. Death had been a close friend ever since elementary school when her own mother had committed suicide. She knew what death felt like because she never really lived past that one darkest moment of her life.

Her friends told about how she often went to parties and got drunk. But this didn’t make her carefree or “happy.” Instead she sat all alone in a corner rocking back and forth and weeping. Her personal despair was undeniable. Despite a hardened exterior, her child-like emotions rose up from the depths of her being. Over and over again she moaned, “Mom... wasn’t I enough to live for? Wasn’t I enough to live for?”

Such a sad story! But it provides a powerful message. While other people may let us down, there is One who never will. And His presence can give us the courage and strength to press on despite life’s difficulties. Never give up. Never quit.

Our Savior did not run from the cross! He knew what He would have to endure but willingly walked toward it. For our sake He didn’t give-in, give-up, or quit. The cross broke the power of sin, death, and hell so that whoever comes to Christ will know the freedom He died for. Because of the Cross, we are reconciled to God. Because of the Cross, we are cleansed of sin. We live in love, and mercy, and grace, and hope. Hallelujah.

He promised to never forsake us, Heb 13:5. He promised a way through life’s trials—not an absence of difficulties, but a way to endure despite them, 1 Cor. 10:13. He promised eternal life, 1 Cor. 15:50-58. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Our faith in the Lord Jesus and in His promises can get us through.

I don’t always live like this. I need reminders to re-inv igorate my faith. May be you do too. Thus, this article can encourage both of us. In Christian love, Lloyd Adapted from an online message by Marchiano Ministries: Journey Through the Gospel of John.