NEVER EVER GIVE UP

by Tammy Phillips
January 10, 2022

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”(2 Chronicles 15:7  NIV)

Abide
Believe
Continue
Diligently be
Endure
Faithfully be
Go
Hold on
Immovable
Just don’t give in
Keep at it
Linger
Maintain
Never Give Up
Persevere
Resolutely be
Stand firm
Tenaciously be
Unwavering
Vigorous
Watchful
X off the list
Yield not
Zealously be

Over and over in the Lord’s word, the Alpha and Omega gives us words from “A to Z” that encourage us to never give up.  Our Holy Father always reminds us to endure to the end and to stand, stand, stand. 

Recently, He taught me this lesson, again.  My son found a pair of black pearl earrings that I had misplaced in a plastic baggy in his closest along with a watch that I was to get repaired long ago.   My husband and I  purchased the earrings on a trip we took for my 50^th birthday.  I wore them to a wedding about five years ago and then they just disappeared.  Suddenly, they had reappeared, and I was filled with joy!

I was so happy to have them back.  I wore them the very next day when I went out to return some items and look at a few stores for after-Christmas sales on decorations.  I went to no less than four big chain stores, Walmart, UPS, Fed Ex, Publix Grocery, and a Hallmark store inside a mall.  When I got home, I was done for the day.  I sat down, phoned a friend, and that is when I found one of the pearls was missing, AGAIN.  I immediately realized that the enemy was attempting to steal my joy.  In that moment my flesh wanted to lose it, pitch a fit, scream and cry.  I had just been blessed with discovery of the pearls the day before.  How could this be happening again?

My battle was in the mind, as are all battles.   I knew that God knew where that pearl was.  I got off the phone and began what might seem to you as a futile search.  I had walked over a mile in, out and through all those stores.  The chances of me finding the earring were not good. However, add God to the mix and my chances go up exponentially.  I simply as Him for His help.  I did what I knew to do.  I began calling stores.  The only place that asked for my number was our local Hallmark store.  I know you probably think I was crazy for even making the calls. Maybe I was, however, “#phillipsnever quit” is our family motto and I do have crazy faith in my Big Daddy.

The afternoon was busy, and I talked to several people while calling the different stores in search of the pearl.  It had only been two hours since I called the Hallmark store.  I had yet to call all the places I had visited that day.  While on another call, I somehow missed the call back from Rachel at Amy’s Hallmark.  She (along with the help of our Loving Father) had found the missing pearl in the clearance section, of course.

I do not care what the circumstances look like.  They don’t matter.  God cares about the smallest to the largest things in our lives.  He will help if we ask, believe, and stand on His promises.  Many times, we fail to invite Him in or believe that He will help. 

I enCOURAGE you to be strong and never ever give up!  When you begin to feel the battle is too much and you want to give up, you must choose to fight. Resist! You must decide that you are not going to quit. When your mind is attacked by doubt and fear, you must take a stand and declare,  “I am never ever giving up! God loves me. God will help me through!”  Place your complete trust in Him.  Do everything you can do, then watch Him intercede on your behalf, and do what only He can do.  It is not hocus-pocus.  It is faith.  It is believing God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do.  It is TOTAL dependence on Him.  It is enduring in Him.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV)

PS…Big thanks to God and to Rachel at Amy’s Hallmark for going the extra mile.