A few years ago, a high school soccer team in Michigan, USA, canceled the last five games of the season after going 0-4 and not scoring a single point early in the season. The lack of wins and points hurts, but my heart hurts even more at the thought of someone giving up on this group of athletes.
Think of the possible victories these athletes will never achieve. I don’t mean wins on the field. Based on what has been reported, the team would probably finish 0-9. However, lasting victories are not about points on the scoreboard or wins and losses. What matters is what vital victories the athletes were unable to achieve this season. My guess is that coaches and sports officials have never heard Winston Churchill’s famous quote, “Never give up – never, never, never, never, never, in great or small, great or insignificant, never give up…” For him, the word “quit” was a four-letter profanity.
Twenty years from now, these athletes may wish their coaches hadn’t been disappointed in them back then. Even if they didn’t win and lost, it could have been a defining moment for their character development.
Unfortunately, the tendency to give up has affected many sectors of society, including the business and professional world. People quit without thinking about the possible consequences. In my opinion, this word needs to be removed from our vocabulary. Not only do I consider it a swear word, but it also becomes a curse for anyone who lives up to it.
I will never forget a conversation I had with a 16-year-old boy during a gathering of young athletes. During his free time, he was sitting alone with his hands on his head. Something was bothering him, so I sat next to him, hoping to help. I just asked him: “What’s wrong?” I was prepared for the typical young man’s answer: misunderstandings between him and his girlfriend; alcohol or drugs; difficulties with friends or problems at school. So I was shocked when he said: “I hate it when my parents let me quit everything I start.”
The young man began to explain: whatever he started, he soon abandoned. Then he blurted out: “I just want them to make me finish what I started.” Wow, I usually hear the exact opposite, “I hate that my parents make me finish everything I start.” But this persistent athlete wanted to be encouraged not to give up.
The Bible is clear about the importance of not giving up and facing adversity with determination, no matter what form it takes.«Receive with great joy, my brethren, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience; but patience must have perfect effect, so that you may be made perfect in all fullness, without any deficiency» (James 1:2-4).
Our families, teams, businesses, organizations, churches, and schools should be places to foster a spirit of completion – and successful completion. The four-letter word “quit” should be eliminated from our conversations. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9 of the reward for not giving up, “When we do good, let us not be discouraged, for in due season we will reap if we do not faint.”
Each of us will be known to others as someone who ran to the finish line or gave up. The choice is ours, but the difference between the two is life-changing. Because it is in the struggle and tension that God shapes and molds us. We will miss out on what He is trying to do in our lives if we stop when things get tough.
Dan Britton is a writer, coach, and instructor who serves as the Chief Professional Officer of the Commonwealth of Christian Athletes and has led thousands of staff members in more than 100 countries. Britton played lacrosse professionally for the Baltimore Thunder and has co-authored eight books, including One Word, Walks of Wisdom, and A Call to Greatness. He is a frequent speaker to companies, non-profit organizations and sports teams. Dan and his wife Dawn reside in Overland Park, Kansas. They have three family children and a granddaughter.
Questions for reflection/discussion
- Have you ever given up on something and then regretted that decision? What was the situation and how do you think you could have handled it better? What might have happened if you had not quit?
- Why do you think it has become so common for people to drop everything when something “gets hard”?
- Can you think of anyone (perhaps even yourself) when you were tempted to quit something because circumstances became difficult? How would you respond by encouraging them (or yourself) to drop the word “quit” and become persistent, committed, constant, and resilient?
- Do the Bible verses quoted indicate that God uses trials and adversity to mold our character and turn us into people of faith, hope, and determination? Do you believe this to be true? Why yes or why no?
NOTES. If you have a Bible and want to read more, consider the following passages: Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 5:3-5, 8:35-39; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Peter 1:6-7
Difficult task
Sometimes the obstacles we face seem almost insurmountable. We can become discouraged, which means we lose the courage to continue with perseverance. At times like these, we can all get help from people who care about us and will support us through the tough times. Who can you turn to when you need encouragement? It could be a person or a small group of people who you know are genuinely looking out for your best interests. Identify them today and resolve to speak openly about the difficulties you are facing. Likewise, consider today how you can serve as a help to those who need support.