Either Lie Down and Die or Get Up and Keep Fighting

My dad is one of the toughest men I have ever been around in the natural. He was a grunt soldier in Vietnam, and survived an entire tour spending 99% of that time in the bush. To put that in the perspective of statistics, the life expectancy of a grunt soldier in Vietnam was two weeks. Daddy survived thirteen months at the height of the war. Which I will readily credit, was both: the hand of God on his life, and my daddy’s refusal to quit. It is no wonder that while growing up to me, he was a larger than life character. He’s since survived all sorts of health issues, most likely caused by Agent Orange. In short my daddy is a survivor. He had lived through ordeals that most would give up in. He has fought to stay alive in the midst of horrible trauma. He has always said to me, “You have two choices in life: You can either lie down and die, or get up and keep fighting.” I get a little annoyed when I hear people start to whine and complain about things in life being just too hard. It’s like they get stuck in this holding zone of complaining and wonder why they aren’t going anywhere. Nowhere in the Bible does it promise that everything is going to be easy. Maybe it’s the strong resolve of my father I can hear echoing deep down inside of me when the temptation of wanting to pause and cry settles in. We’ve all had to find times in the midst of our pain and struggle that we’ve had to push harder than we have ever thought possible, and to keep moving when the temptation is there to quit. Life isn’t easy. We’ve all had our moments, but it is in the height of those moments may we remember to pick ourselves up, and keep moving forward. James 1:2-5 (NKJV) “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Galatians 6:9 (ESV)And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. The word of God is simple, and it works. If you refuse to give up, then you will see what God has promised. Many people like to quote these verses. But they don’t really live them. Instead they’d rather whine, cry, and walk away from destiny. Yet, all the while they will get bitter and grumpy and try to blame their bad choices on God. But in truth, if you walk away that isn’t God’s fault. He’s given you the power and authority to tread on anything that comes your way. (Luke 10:19, Luke 9:1) God DOES have awesome plans for your life! But you have to walk them out, refuse to quit, and get up and keep fighting! Remember to get excited! Be encouraged today! God loves you, and you can fulfill destiny it's time to get up, and keep moving forward!

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