Hebrews 12:3 - "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds".
Did you know that the state of New Jersey has established what is called a "safe surrender" program offering persons wanted by the police for non-violent crimes to turn themselves in, and, usually, be granted probation or a reduced fine instead of jail time? So far, 3,901 people have turned themselves in, including 550 people who weren't actually wanted for anything, who simply wanted to check to see if they was a warrant out for them.
In the Christian walk, there is no such thing as a "safe surrender" program! Christians who refuse to quit don't own a white flag - the symbol of surrender declaring that they have given up the fight and the enemy has won. Listen, no one ever said it was going to be easy, especially if you're going to do what God has called you to do. I've been there! There will be opposition, an enemy who is trying to get you to wave that white flag and give up on the things of God.
Maybe you feel like giving up, stopping the fight, going for a "safe surrender" program, compromising your goal or promise from God's Word. I have advice for you today, "burn that white flag" and stir up the spirit inside of you to fight.
In Hebrews 12:3, the writer says to "consider him that endured". Consider means to set your mind on, to fix yourself upon, to focus upon. It goes on to say, "lest you faint". Faint means to cease to be able, but interestingly, you cannot cease to do something you are able to do. The game the enemy plays is to try to convince you and me that we can't do what God says we can do. Say this, I'm not going down without a fight…in fact, I'm not going down at all".
Here are five things that will help you in the fight:
1. Train yourself to see what's not there, to look beyond the problem
2. Always focus on getting better not bigger. If you get better, no one can stop you from getting bigger.
3. You have to know your "core", core strength comes from what you're gifted to do, not what you can't do.
4. Don't just tell people how to live, just live it.
5. Be willing to change when God says change.
Go ahead, get rid of that white flag, you're not going to need it!