This week’s Truth Speakers For Truth Seekers column is about the temptation to just give up or throw in the towel adversity strikes.
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Dedicated to all those that helped and will continue to care for others in their need (including the writer here)
When things happen that we did not foresee, want and wished never happened, temptation follows. The temptation to just give up, find the one or thing to blame, or blame ourselves heavily to where we get discouraged, depressed and hide ourselves.
None of them is either helpful or the solution or necessary. Then what?
We all heard of the famous quote “I will just throw in the towel”.
Where did that come from?
The phrase "throw in the towel" means to give up, admit defeat, or stop trying at something because you realise you cannot succeed, originating from boxing where a corner meaning the one cornered or about to lose) would literally throw a towel into the ring to signal surrender. It's used informally for abandoning a difficult task, challenge, or goal.
· Meaning: To quit; to surrender; to admit you can't win or finish.
· Origin: Boxing, where a towel signals surrender.
· Example: "After trying to fix the engine for hours, he finally threw in the towel and called a mechanic".
So then when that circumstance, fall, sickness, financial defeat stares at you from one moment to the next, what do you do? You take a deep breath, rise above the circumstance and start fighting your mind which tells you to just give up, get angry, blame everyone but… or get super down.
The smartest thing to do? Use your breath! Do not get quiet! However not in the way our book warns against:
The Bible verse regarding being snared by your words is Proverbs 6:2, which states: "You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth". It warns against rash promises, foolish talk, or impulsive commitments—specifically regarding financial surety—that can trap a person in unfavorable circumstances.
Key Context of Proverbs 6:2:
· Meaning: The verse highlights the self-inflicted consequences of careless speech. It means being trapped, baited, or entangled by one's own spoken words or agreements.
· Context (vv. 1-5): The passage advises that if you have fallen into a trap due to your words (e.g., promising to pay a stranger's debt), you should immediately humble yourself, go to the person, and plead for release, rather than waiting.
· Different translations say it like this:
- (AFV) You are snared with the words of your mouth, and you are caught with the words of your mouth.
- (BBE) You are taken as in a net by the words of your mouth, the sayings of your lips have overcome you.
- (Brenton) For a man's own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth.
- Message: "You’re in that man's clutches! Go, put on a long face; act desperate. Don't procrastinate—there's no time to lose."
Then how we speak? You believe in Heaven? Jesus Christ taught His disciples to start their prayer with: “Our Father (calling on the One which we Christians believe is our Father) which is in Heaven (where He is seated) – Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven” (There is a temporary imperfect will on earth (not God made) and an eternal perfect will in Heaven.
So just imagine that perfect will in Heaven and speak that. And keep speaking it till it is so.
Most people do the opposite and speak what they do not want, the negative situation, feeling, emotion or circumstance. It won’t be long till they believe that and then it will take a short time and it happens as they said. Why not say the opposite? And started believing that and be blessed by that?
Phase 1- You keep saying it whether you see a change or not.
Phase 2- Somewhere it will drop into your spirit; it enters there whether you feel, sense that or not it will- you will start to see that you actually believe it and it has activated the Fathers’ will.
Phase 3- NOW when it comes out of your mouth, it comes from Heaven’s realm with power and you will see your circumstances change and come in alignment with Heaven.
The opposite will be true too. You keep saying the negative; it drops into your spirit, it will activate the demonic or the dark realm, then when it comes out of your mouth your circumstance will likely not be what you want it to be. Coupled with that, we can also see what God sees. Or what the darkness sees.
2 Corinthians 4:17 reads: "We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison". This verse encourages viewing current struggles as temporary preparations for an immense, everlasting glory.
Key Aspects of 2 Corinthians 4:17 (TPT):
- Perspective: Troubles are described as "slight" and "short-lived" when compared to eternity.
- Purpose: Difficulties are not meaningless; they are the "substance that produces" eternal glory.
- Outcome: The result is a "weighty glory far beyond all comparison".
This verse is part of a passage (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) that encourages believers not to lose heart, focusing on inward renewal despite outward, temporary afflictions. Besides see what Heaven sees, imagine that, speak that and see it come to pass.
So if this week you run into something that seems difficult for you or just tough, get your focus on inward renewal to get you stronger and your mouth on speaking what heaven has already agreed on: His perfect will for YOU which can only be good! As long as it is in agreement with His perfect will for this earth, I believe you will be speaking what you desire and what He desires and you are both in agreement on.
Have a week filled with the God kind of focus. With a mouth speaking what Heaven likes to see happening.
Blessings
Akhrienuo