I Give Up
Today, January 17th, is the most common date that most people give up on their new year’s resolution. Did you know that 45% of people make a New Year’s resolution, but 38% never reach their goal or just quit? The path to success is a long hard road and very few make it. More likely than not, you know the reasons why….
- “I’ve always failed before and so failure is just a matter of time.”
- “I mean, I reached some of my goal, that’s better than nothing, right?”
- “I was doing good but then things got stressful at work.”
- “It’s just so hard, there is always tomorrow.”
Don’t quit! Go find a mirror. Find a spot to be alone. Say these words to yourself, “Don’t quit. Not this time!” This is your defining day. This is the moment that makes this time different from all the other times. This is bigger than your new year’s resolution-this is about what makes you, you. Do you succeed or do you fail?
God Wants You to Succeed
Throughout scripture, God is like a great coach who believes in his team. He stands at the edge of heaven shouting “You got this!” Here are four scriptures to take to heart on the day when everyone else is failing. When you want to give up, listen!
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)
Do you see a theme? God knows you don’t have what it takes. God is all too familiar with your weakness. He knows that you can go from complete commitment on a Tuesday to throwing it all away by Friday. So, here is what he does. He doesn’t override your self control. He doesn’t grab the wheel for you. The prayer “God just make this easy” isn’t one he is going to answer. That won’t help you because it won’t change who you are. It won’t deepen who you are.
He offers you his strength. Like any good father, he gives you just enough. See, God knows that line in you. That line that you cross and you just don’t have what it takes. All of us have this line. There are some things that are just too much for us. In the passages above, that is where he promises to help. If you do what is right … if you commit to God whatever you do… if you seek his strength, he promises with his help you WILL succeed.
January 17th represents the weakness of men. For you, January 18th represents the strength of God!
