The quitter

Proverbs 24:10 reads:

NIV, NIV-UK

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength?

NASB

If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited.

KJV, 21^st CKJV, ASV

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

NLT

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.

Falter – to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent; to speak hesitatingly or brokenly; to move unsteadily or stumble.

Slack – negligent, careless, remiss; slow, sluggish, or indolent; weak, lax.

Faint – to grow weak; lose spirit or courage

Fail – to fall short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, desired, or approved; to be or become deficient or lacking; be insufficient or absent; fall short; to lose strength or vigor; become weak.

Trouble – difficulty, annoyance, or harassment; unfortunate or distressing position, circumstance, or occurrence; misfortune; civil disorder, disturbance, or conflict; mental or emotional disturbance or distress; worry.

Adversity – catastrophe, disaster; trouble, misery.

Pressure – harassment; oppression; a constraining or compelling force or influence.

Strength – the quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power; vigor; mental power, force or vigor; moral power, firmness, or courage; power by reason of influence, authority, resources, numbers; effective force, potency, or cogency, as of inducements or arguments; power of resisting force, strain, wear; something or someone that gives one strength or is a source of power or encouragement, sustenance; power to rise or remain firm.

Essentially, when we hesitate or waver; when we are negligent, careless and remiss; when we are weak and lose spirit; when we are deficient and insufficient or choose to be absent when times are difficult or unfortunate, when they feel like disaster, when we feel oppressed or hampered; we not only are weak minded, but we become ineffective carriers of the gospel.  We refuse to reflect the glory of the one true God, who through all things are possible.  So rather than give up, quit, fail, falter, and grow faint, we should remember:

Phillipians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

and

Phillipians 2:14

Do everything without complaining or arguing.

He spoke volumes to me this morning, with 12 simple words. 

God is good!