How many times have we heard ourselves or others say what I believe are two of the most defeating words anyone could say, “I Quit!” We start a project only to discover it was more difficult than we ever thought it would be, “I Quit!” My boss at work is constantly getting on my back about stuff, “I Quit!” My spouse is always putting me down and only cares about they think is right, “I Quit!” Lord, things in my life only keep getting worse, “I Quit!” 

If we were honest with ourselves, those two words have come across our hearts and minds more than we may want others to know. Life doesn’t always turn out the way we thought it would. People don’t always respond they way we think they should respond. Spouses, from time to time, aren’t always so loving and kind in how they speak or act towards their mates. Mankind, it seems, is becoming more and more evil and selfish as the days go on.

The great Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the church at Philippi as he sat in prison. What kind of letter do you think you would write if you were in prison? The prisons we have today would seem like penthouses when compared to the prisons in Paul’s time. Back then there weren’t any weight rooms to work out in, no basketball courts to play in, no air conditioning or heating to make our stay in prison bearable. Now I am not saying being in prison today is a cakewalk, but compared to the conditions prisoners faced in Paul’s time, conditions in our prisons today would be far more comfortable.

When Paul wrote his letter to the church at Philippi, he intention was to thank the Philippians for their gifts to him while he was in prison. Yet Paul also wanted to encourage the Philippians to stand firm in the face of persecution and to rejoice regardless of the circumstances they may be currently facing.  Persecution in Paul’s days was more than just being made fun of because you were a Christian. Persecution in Paul’s days went much further than being ridiculed by others. Persecution in Paul’s days consisted of being beaten, whipped and often many times included death.

We in America are not facing the same kind of persecution that Christians in third world countries are currently facing today. Christians today are being beheaded, burned alive, having to face mass shootings and starvation and much, much more. To be quite honest, I am not sure how my Christianity would fare in those type of conditions. I sadly wonder how many of American Christians having to endure those kind of conditions, would throw up their arms and say, “I Quit!”  

As Paul thanked the Philippians for their gifts, he made a very bold statement. Philippians 4:12-13 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him (Lord) who gives me strength“

Has the Lord asked you to do something but because it is so difficult and there just isn’t enough time in your day for you to squeeze it into your busy schedule, you are ready to say, “I Quit?” Are you presently in a valley time of your Christian walk and you are so done with it, you find yourself ready to say, “I Quit!” Aren’t we glad the Lord Jesus didn’t say “I Quit” after being beaten to the brink of death, had a crown of thorns shoved into His head, mocked by Roman soldiers, and sadly heard the people He once fed and ministered to, saying, “Crucify Him!”

Jesus drank the cup of wrath and died for our sins so we may drink the cup of eternal life. Jesus could have easily called down ten thousand angels and taken care of business, but the Father said, ‘Not just yet, My Son. Sunday’s about to come’  

Are you ready to say “I Quit” to something the Lord has asked of you? The Lord is saying, “Not just yet My child, completion and victory is just around the corner for you!!”