Quitting is not an Option

MidYear Renewal!
Terry R. Baughman

“Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option” (2 Corinthians 4:8 TPT).

Anxiety and mental health challenges are on the increase in our modern culture. In a time when we have the most conveniences, opportunities for recreation, and advanced medical care, we see a rise in anxiety disorders. Some point to the isolation of shutdown during the Covid19 pandemic as the primary cause of the increase, though there are many other factors that contribute to this growing condition.

Stress is common in life. In some ways stress can be helpful. We are challenged to find solutions to situations that produce stress. Problem-solving and negotiation skills are developed during stressful interactions with others. Stress can promote positive coping skills and encourage healthy habits to overcome challenges. However, stress can also lead to anxiety and unhealthy responses. 

Stressful circumstances are normal conditions of life. It is unreasonable to expect a trouble-free existence. From the earliest writing of Scripture we are taught, “Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1 NIV). In times of trial we often turn to the Book of Job for consolation. We are not the first, or the last, to experience trauma in life. It is natural to seek for a reason or a purpose for the problems we experience. If some good can come through our situation, we can more easily endure the stress of the moment.

We can find great consolation in our relationship with God. In the final setting before the arrest, the trial, and the crucifixion of Jesus, He comforted His disciples. Understanding the anxiety they would experience in the next few days, Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2 NKJ). He encouraged them to focus on the eventual rather than the immediate. The eternal reward is so much greater than our current condition. Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NKJ). 

Paul had plenty of occasions to give in to the opposition and be overcome with anxiety. Recounting some of his experiences he wrote, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers” (2 Corinthians 11:24-26 NIV). Throughout his writings in the New Testament we are given encouragement to rise above our situation and keep believing. 

When Paul writes to encourage those facing challenges, it might be easy to say, “He just doesn’t understand my situation.” However, if we look at all he endured, we might discover our challenges are not so severe. Paul didn’t minimize our problems, but he said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV).

Remember the words of Jesus, “Don’t worry or surrender to your fear. For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also” (John 14:1 TPT). An ancient adage says, “Where there is life, there is hope!” As long as we live, trust in God and keep believing. “Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option” (2 Corinthians 4:8 TPT). Don’t quit!


Theme passage:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJ).