Defeat at the door,

Have you been exhausted?  Do you feel like you've been fighting but you don't have anything left?  Out of breathe. Cramps in every muscle. You've done all you possibly could.  The referee is counting, 1, 2, 3, 4, You just want it to be over. Give in to you body. Your mind says no more. Your heart is racing. It feels like your chest will explode. Your soul reminds you of everyone else. 

You made it just a little further than the last person who tried. No one would think you gave in.  You gave it your best try. You went a long time. You're so numb that the pain is just a distant memory. Tomorrow is coming and it will be all new.  You won't have any regret. At least that is what everyone will tell you.

He is still counting, 5, 6, 7, what if I don't give in?  What will happen?  How much more of this can I endure? Will I ever be able to live it down if I quit? I'm not a quitter! You start to feel a surge welling up from deep inside.  Growing into every aspect of your being.

You hear, 8, 9,  but your not done. No one tells me I'm done!  You can keep counting. It's not over until I say it's over. You might feel like you've destroyed me, but this is going to last a long time. Stubborn as a mule, you won't get rid of me. I'm good til,the last drop. Like, Nike, just do it. 10, but I haven't won yet. I'm still fighting. I'm not going to stop until I get what you promised. 

Just like when you feel defeated, there is always a little bit left to take you one more step.  One more rep. One more mile. The reason why you have that little bit left is because God has given you determination. Read the story of Jacob in Genesis 32.  He is in fear of his life when he thinks his older brother will want to kill him. He sends everything he has ahead of him as a gift to his brother. Then when he is alone he wrestles with God. He claims that he will not let this angel go until he blesses him. Have you fought that hard but still demanded something at the end.  You wouldn't  be done until you received it?  Defeat is only as close as we let it get.  Yes there will always be giants, but there are always small stones.  Yes, there is always threats but there always promises of redemption. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed.......where is your defeat?