Saturday Story Time – Jimbob Is Not a Quitter

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, 1 John 5:4-5

We have all heard stories of a person quitting right before the breakthrough was about to happen. Last night I was working on one of the hardest puzzles in a long time. I was ready to quit just trying to put the outside pieces together. The colors were similar, but the real challenge was several pieces were cut nearly identical. I thought to myself, “if it is this hard at the beginning, just quit!”

I kept going, and others joined in. We connected inside pieces which helped us rearrange the outside edge. More joined in and as the night went on, the candles grew short (meaning we were staying up late just to finish it). About midnight, the last piece was placed into the completed picture. Satisfaction filled my heart and joy that I did not quit.

Where did you learn perseverance? Who taught you how to finish tasks even though they were difficult? What motivation arises inside of you to complete your short term project or the long term dream?

I am not talking about trying to be perfect. For perfectionism leads to endless frustration that “done” was not enough. I am talking about the motivation to keep going and not quitting.

John mentions overcoming several times in the book of Revelation regarding churches. Don’t give up, even when it gets hard. There is a reward for those who persevere to the end.

James tells us to endure through the trials. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4. Something wonderful is happening inside when you push through the trial to completion.

Jesus endured for the joy that was set before Him. Looking at your feet creates more despair than hope. Looking beyond the finish line helps you make it through another day.

Some tasks are small, but they build the character needed for other things.  Finish cleaning out that drawer, make the phone call, organize the boxes, or  throw away all of the junk mail. Make a note of a small task to complete on this day and DO IT. No matter how small, it can be filed as FINISHED.

Some tasks are multilayered and require more time. Don’t lose heart. Break it down into many smaller tasks. Write them down and then rewrite them so they are obtainable. Give yourself a lot of runway and time that is realistic. Celebrate the day of small beginnings of completion. Then throw a big party when the long awaited dream comes to pass.

Weariness can happen with tasks that are repetitive, like those tasks that have to be completed every single day. No judgment. When avoided, they build up quickly and become harder to manage. There are no brownie points for doing what is expected to be accomplished everyday.

For some, accomplishing task comes easily, for others these become cares that weigh you down. Two ideas that may help. If possible, do them first and early in the day. It creates a win from the start. Two, SMILE. Even a forced, fake smile begins to shift the mind and the emotions toward joy. A happier heart moves lighter through life.

My goal today was not to sound preachy, giving you advice that puts more condemnation upon you. Neither was I trying to give slick advice to impress you…not much here to impress. BUT, I did want to inspire you to hope to keep going, even when it is hard.

John says those born of God overcome the world. He did not say, might, maybe, hopefully. He said overcomes. Faith frames the focus above the trial and circumstances to the source of life and hope – Jesus. May your faith be strengthened today.

Blessings Love y’all