Giving Up? The Game’s Not Over Yet!

It was just a silly game of cards, our fiftieth, I believe. Ok, perhaps that number is slightly exaggerated. Taelyn was sick so he had been home from school for many days. Together he and I had played many games of Go Fish. Today was no exception.

We were tied, as we began our third game of the morning. I was ahead with six pairs to Taelyn’s one. I noticed that my lead, at least in part, had contributed to a change in Tae’s attitude. His voice became quiet. He sounded discouraged and his actions became less than enthusiastic. One more pair for me, and Taelyn declared, “game over!” “I quit,” he said. “Quit?” I was surprised. “Why would you quit now, when the game is not over yet?” It didn’t make sense to me. “Because I can’t win.” Taelyn responded.

His assessment of the situation was based on tangible evidence – the mound of cards on my side, and the lack on his. In his mind, it would be impossible to catch up, never mind win. To my son the situation was, in a word, hopeless!

This game had me thinking about more than just a game of cards. We often look at the tangible evidence in our circumstances, and if the odds seem stacked against us, we declare the situation, in a word, “hopeless!” Like Taelyn, when the challenge seems insurmountable to us, we tend to give up before the game is officially over. Yay! Score “another one” for the enemy. Satan is a cheater. He wins because of the false evidence he provides us with. I tell you, nothing makes me angrier!

Ironically, just before my game with Taelyn, I had been praying about a circumstance in my own life. This is a situation I have been praying about for more then ten years, with little sign of hope. I have to admit, I have grown weary many times. I shared my frustration with God this morning. I told Him I was about ready to give up! I asked God to give me a clear sign, or at the very least, some encouragement to go on.

God used the game of Go Fish, and my conversation with Taelyn to answer my prayer. God reminded me of Biblical figures like Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Moses, David and more. In each of their lives there were situations that appeared impossible. I couldn’t help but smile when I realized, if they had not trusted God, they would have missed the divine victory. I heard my words ringing loudly in my own ears. “Quit? Why would you quit now? The game is not over yet!”

Before you quit, consider these questions:

1) What are you about to give up? If it is nothing more than a silly card game, then go ahead – give up! BUT, and I ask this in total humility, are you quitting simply because you are worn out?

Do you feel like you will never get a handle on your debt? Do you doubt that your children will come to faith in Jesus? Are some of your relationships, maybe even your marriage, appearing hopeless? Are you battling an addiction? Perhaps worse than all of these, are you thinking of aborting your own faith walk with Jesus, because it is just too difficult. If you feel hopeless – DO NOT GIVE UP YET!

2) What were you expecting? A game without opposition? If you don’t have an opponent, there is likely nothing at stake. A.J. Coyner said, “Christianity does not provide a supernatural cure for suffering; it provides a supernatural use of it.” Your opponent wants you to believe your situation is hopeless. If it is not impossible, would you even have a need for God?

3) Will you miss a divine victory if you give up now? As hard as it may be to keep going at times, quitting, going back, often leads to bigger heartache and disaster.

Because Abraham and Sarah trusted God, they were blessed at a very old age, with the birth of Isaac. Abraham also became the Father of the whole Israelite Nation, through the birth of Isaac. In spite of all the hopeless situations Joseph found himself in, he continued to trust God. Because of Joseph’s faithfulness, God used him to prevent all of the Israelites and the Egyptians from starving to death. Moses never gave up in his battle against the Pharaoh, so the Israelites were set free from their captivity, and eventually made it into the promised land. Because of David’s courage, he fought Goliath and won. Jesus became part of the lineage of David. Every difficult situation has a God glorifying ending - if you finish the game.

Romans 5:3-5 [NASB] reminds us, “but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (emphasis mine.)

Today I faced my own situation, with new resolve. Today Taelyn won at the game of Go Fish. What are you hoping for? May the hope that does not disappoint, be poured out in your heart today.

The game’s not over yet!

Aleichem Shalom.

dl.