Page 6 - Have Faith Nov

Day 3

Don’t give up... Philippians 3:7-14

I wanted to reflect on something that I feel is tools to succeed and to fail.
close to everyone’s heart, the will to go on. I
think that it’s fair to say that for those of us For all that are struggling, about to undertake
that have served in the Armed Forces, have at a struggle or hardship, I would like to share a
some point had to find that extra-something passage with you which I believe can give each
else to get us through difficult circumstances. and everyone of us strength to succeed.
We all have that pig-headed stubbornness to
succeed which usually started coming out Hebrews 12: 1-3
during our basic training. But it’s not just us
old vets that possess this trait. Every human 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
that is born has it, without exception. a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so
Earlier this year, I took much pleasure in easily entangles. And let us run with persever-
watching SAS: Who Dares Wins. It was a ance the race marked out for us,
celebrity special with the competitors putting 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and
themselves through extreme challenges set perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he
up by British Special Forces to support those endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat
with Cancer. A very noble thing to do. The down at the right hand of the throne of God.
challenges were extreme and pushed the con- 3 Consider him who endured such opposition
testants to the very limit of their endurance, from sinners, so that you will not grow weary
sometimes beyond. It impressed me no end and lose heart.
to see the human spirit come through despite
the physical hardship that they endured but in What our heroic competitors endured, al-
reality. They were all volunteers and they all though impressive, was very little in compar-
knew that within a few days they would return ison to the suffering and courage of Jesus on
back to their lives no worse for the wear. that final walk. Every agonising step taken
with the cross was a step to save us all from
But my mind did wander to those with little or sin.
no choice who have to endure great pain and
sacrifice and yet still do not give up. Those
suffering terrible illness, poverty, persecution
and oppression.

Our strength, as humans, is exceptional. Our
choices of how to use that strength is what
defines us. Some of us give up sooner than
others but most of the time it is just because
we lose sight of our goal or forget what we are
fighting for.

Some of us dig in and refuse to give up and
drive on, determined never to be beat. But
believe it or not, there is very little difference
in the two, just choices. We all have the same
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