Don't Quit

We are never promised an easy life - in fact, life can be rather challenging. How many times have we faced trials of many kinds? Should we quit or persevere?

I am sure most of us are familiar with the saying, "when the going gets tough, the tough gets going". I still remember the first time I heard this; was it the theme song for the movie Romancing the Stone? Back then, it made a big impact on me Faced with a tough challenge, I would grit my teeth and remind myself not to give up, but to endure - because the tough gets going! (the popular action heroes in those days were Rambo, Rocky, Indiana Jones, ...). Now, I am not sure if I agree completely with the quote - because it somehow implies that only the tough, the macho ones, like Rambo, will persevere. All the rest of us, who are not as tough, has an excuse to quit. Do we?
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Why we don't give up? I have given some thoughts to this question and came to the conclusion that the primary reason most people continue on in life (despite the many trials and obstacles we face) is that they, consciously or unconsciously, believe there is a prize waiting for them at the finishing line. In short, we are motivated by the promise of a trophy (whatever that may mean to us individually), at the end of the race. And those who quit are usually those who have lost sight of the promise along the way.

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reflection: what motivates you? what trophy awaits you at the finishing line?

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Recently, I came across a poem on endurance (author unknown). Immediately, I thought it would compliment a photo a former student, CHZ, took in Mongolia.

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When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low, and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don't quit.

Mongolia: photo by CHZ (Sep 07)

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

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Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,

It's when things seem worse - that you must not quit. ....

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Spiritual: Severe trials will sift true Christians from fair-weather believers. So, if God has called you to a task, determine to complete it, even if you face opposition or discouragement. The rewards of work well done will be worth the effort.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything... Blessed is the man who perservere under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love him." - James 1: 2-4, 12

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reference: LAB