Hebrews 12:2-3 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In the boxing world, the expression to “throw in the towel,” usually occurs when the boxer is no longer able to throw a punch, or even lift up his arms because he has lost all strength. It is here when the trainer notices that his boxer has reached his limit and makes the decision to “throw in the towel. This is what indicates that the fight is over and prevents further suffering or irrepressible pain. Notice that this decision is not made by the boxer, but by the trainer.
How many times have we found ourselves in life’s “fighting arena,” where the thought to “throw in the towel,” has crossed our mind? Or how many times have we simply thought of abandoning everything and fleeing? Did not David do just this when he fled to the cave of Adullam? David, the man called “the sweet Psalmist of Israel”. David, the man “after God’s own heart”. Did he not flee out of desperation?
It is a reality that we all want blessings, joy, and prosperity; but none of us want to endure the suffering and strife that it takes to attain these things. The path of the cross is inevitable. That was the plan the Father had for us to all be able to attain salvation. People laughed and mocked as Jesus marched towards Cavalry. But all this was needed for the greatest victory of all. Jesus recognized this. And because of this process, we do not see Jesus the victim, but Christ the Victor, the overcomer, the survivor.
Acts 20:22-24 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
From this passage, there are three steps in becoming a survivor/overcomer. 1. We must endure. 2. Our “Special Trainer” is God. 3. The Lord has never thrown in the towel, and never will. So, if He does not, why should we? He is the one that gives us strength. We can do it! Endure! Resist! Do not tremble! Do not shake! Do not break! There are many that flee, but we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved (Hebrews 10:39).
Carmen Mendez is the Pastor of The Power Belongs to the Lord Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.