Feeling like quitting? Tired of the race?
Don't Trow in the Towel by J. Lee Grady
I have a friend who is a respected Christian leader. But like all of
us, he wrestles with his own sins, weaknesses and trials. People
associated with his ministry have disrespected him, his family has
suffered, and he has struggled with health problems. He has also carried
loads of shame since his childhood because of sexual abuse.
My
friend recently admitted that he has occasionally asked God to take his
life because he was so discouraged. When I prayed with him, I saw a
vision of a huge arena. I could see athletes running while the crowd
cheered, but my friend was sitting on a bench next to the track. Then I
saw Jesus walk over to him, grab his arm and beckon him to get in the
race.
My friend turned a spiritual corner after I shared this
vision with him. His hope was renewed, and he decided to run the race of
faith again. But there are many Christians today who have pulled out of
the race because life got too tough. Some were instantly broadsided;
others gradually slowed down until they quit.
The apostle Paul
wrote to a group of people who were thinking of quitting the race. They
were Jewish Christians who faced intense persecution. Using imagery of
an athletic arena, Paul said to them: "Therefore, since we have so great
a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every
encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).
Are you
sitting on the bench? Or are you out of breath because you are lugging
50 pounds of shame and failure? Have you disqualified yourself from the
race? Here are five of the most common reasons Christians throw in the
towel:
1. Depression or discouragement. When we face
stress, tragedy, disappointment, failure or prolonged delay, we will
lose hope if we don't stay close to God and cling to His promises. We
must remember that the darkness never lasts. "Weeping may last for the
night," Psalm 30:5 says, "but a shout of joy comes in the morning."
Charles
Spurgeon wrote: "There are no immortal sorrows for immortal saints.
They come; but, blessed be God, they also go." No matter what obstacle
you face, it will not stand in front of you indefinitely. No matter how
heavy and dark the cloud is over your head, the sunshine will soon break
through. Though you may not see a light at the end of the tunnel, you
must keep pressing forward. You will outlast your problem.
2. Shame or self-loathing.
The miracle of grace says all your past sins have been blotted out. If
you have trusted in the blood of Christ, heaven has purged all record of
your failures. Yet many Christians cannot forgive themselves for their
weaknesses, and they imagine that God is still angry with them because
they still struggle with temptation. And the devil is eager to remind us
of what we once were!
Go back to the cross and give God your doubts, fears and shame. Stop
punishing yourself. Trade your sinfulness for His righteousness. Jesus
knows you cannot live a sinless life apart from Him—so He chose to live
His perfect life through you.
3. Sinful habits. If you
struggle with a life-controlling problem, you cannot overcome it alone.
You must open your life to mature Christians and confess your weakness.
Paul told the Hebrews: "Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak
and the knees that are feeble" (Heb. 12:12). Athletes don't rehabilitate
themselves—they ask for help. You cannot run the race when sin has
crippled you. Be transparent and let the right people pray with you.
4. Distraction.
The key to winning a race is focus. Paul emphasized this when he told
the Hebrews to fix their eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). Our focus cannot be
on a pastor, a celebrity preacher, a pet doctrine, a church, a
denomination, a political party, spiritual gifts or emotions. If you put
your trust in any of those things, you will not be able to finish the
race. It was Jesus who started His work in you, and only He will
complete it.
Regaining your focus is not difficult. Simply set
aside some time to pray, and cast your cares on the Lord. Read the
Psalms. Listen to praise music. Spend time in God's Word each day.
Spurgeon said: "A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone
who isn't." If you soak your mind in Scripture, you will find unusual
grace to press forward, even when all hell is raging against you.
5. Persecution.
It's easy to serve God when everybody thinks you're wonderful. But how
do you respond when family members and co-workers speak against you
because of your faith or your moral convictions? Persecution can tempt
us to deny Christ or to make moral compromises. But you must remember
that when you suffer for His name's sake, you will be blessed. Peter
said when we are persecuted, "the Spirit of glory and of God rests on
you" (1 Pet. 4:14).
I will tell you what I told my friend last
week. Jesus is calling you back in the race. Don't just sit there and
let the devil win. Put one foot in front of the other, focus on Jesus
and trust Him to give you the strength to run.
