Give Up and Win

In battle, as in life, we are often told to never give up and reminded that losers never win. In our most important battle though, we learn that giving up leads to victory.
Our lives are a constant struggle between good and evil. We are a prideful people and most of us find it hard even to admit when we’re wrong or make a mistake. For some, doing what’s right seems to come naturally without doubt or temptation to do otherwise. While for some of us, it’s not so easy to make the right choice…not without second guessing or doubting our ability to succeed anyway.
Giving up doesn’t always mean defeat. We all like to feel we’re in charge of whatever situation we’re in and rely on our own abilities to survive. In truth we all need a higher power than ourselves to look to for help….and that higher power is God.
In the story of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel 17, David checked out the enemy. He had no fear or thoughts that the giant would overpower him even though Goliath was huge, more mature and a trained soldier. David was a scrawny, 17 year old shepherd boy. What gave him the confidence to face a giant? His faith wasn’t in himself or his own ability. He trusted God to protect him and give him whatever power it took to defeat this enemy of God’s people….and he did it with one little stone.
Fear is often the biggest stumbling block for us when it comes to our decision to follow Jesus and accept Him as our Savior. Fear of the unknown is hard and giving our control over to someone else is never easy. Trusting for most of us is hard….but the wonder of it is that God supplies the faith. All we have to do is accept it. That’s right, faith is a gift and in order to receive it, we must first give up….our fears and unbelief and know that our God loves us so much that He allowed His own Son to die in our place and pay the price for our sins. Then He made faith in Him a pathway….the only way….to heaven and eternal life.
If you are struggling in making a decision for Christ, just know that sometimes we must give up in order to win. Don’t let fear cause defeat in your life. Give up your fears, doubts and sins that keep you in darkness and receive the victory….and the ultimate prize that comes with surrender….eternal life.