Don’t Give Up

Calvin Coolidge once said, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Great people are just ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. They simply don’t know how to quit. They just keep on "keeping on".

I believe that a person’s greatness is not determined by his or her fame, position, or wealth but rather what happens to discourage that person. You can tell a lot about someone by watching how they respond to criticism or failure. It reveals character.

What does it take to discourage you?

Things don’t go your way?

Expectations are not met?

Someone disapproves of how you did it?

The Bible says this: "Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing, if we don’t get discouraged and give up." (Gal. 6:9)

Things that last usually require more time and determination than usual. When God wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years. When He wants to make a mushroom, he takes 6 hours. Do you want your business to have the stability of an oak tree or mushroom? How about your family or your personal life?

Consider: What have I been tempted to give up on, that I know is the right ting to do? Pray this: "God, give me the energy to persist this week." Remember this" "I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength."