1965) I have deep within me a drive to not give up. My husband has told me multiple times he admires this. Because I don’t give up, landing my first book contract with a publisher is something to be admired. I have received “no’s” time after time after time and yet, I still haven’t given up and it’s paying off in the literary world.  

As is true with any of our gifts, there’s a downside. There are times when I really should give up on something and even though I know it would be better to stop, I find it extremely hard to do it.  

There is another drawback of never giving up. It would be easy to discount John 14:6. Jesus tells me clearly there is one thing I need to give up, and it’s my striving to be acceptable to God. Jesus tells us here he is the Way, the Truth and the Life and even if I strive continually to earn favor with God, Jesus goes on to say, No one comes to the Father except through me.

I understand that one facet of this verse is telling me there is nothing I can do, even with admirable motives, that will buy me more favor with God. He has already done the buying. I can’t gain more love, respect and loyalty from God when he has already given me his everything.  

Maybe you’re like me; you need to give up sometimes.