One of the qualities that is valued tremendously by God in us as He observes our life is our endurance.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

So many times over the last 40 years of pastoring at JBC I wanted to quit. I was discouraged, depressed, burnt out, and dry. One verse in the Bible spoken by Jesus was a key keeping me from quitting.

Luke 9:62  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Now, as I think about how God has blessed I am so thankful that I didn’t quite . Another verse that impacted me was, Galatians 6:9  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

But the key thing in my life that kept me from quitting was friends who encouraged me often to keep on running and not give up. Good friends who know the importance of encouragement are super important to being successful at life. I have been blessed with many.