I grew up in a household where my dad loved boxing, and my grandmother loved wrestling. From watching these two sports, I learned of the various ways in which the fight is declared over, two of which are:
- Wrestling – holding the opponent’s shoulder and back down while the referee counts to three, slapping the ground with each count.
- Boxing – the referee counts to ten and determines if the boxer has sufficient ability to continue the match.
In these instances, the competitor is overmatched and unable to continue due to the opponent’s superiority.
However, there are some occasions in these sports where the fight is over because the opponent or those in their corner assess the situation and voluntarily give up.
In boxing in particular, when a boxer is taking a beating, and his corner wants to stop the fight, they literally throw in the towel to concede the fight, thus surrendering to avoid further punishment.
The circumstances of life can often feel overwhelming, whether it’s financial struggles, family conflict, health challenges, relationship issues, social injustice, job stress, political instability, or more. It is easy to resort to throwing in the towel. Why continue to fight and struggle when it seems not to be making a difference?
To answer that question, consider a prophet in the Bible named Habakkuk, who lamented the dire situation Israel had found itself in (chapter 1). They were about to be taken captive by heathen nations, and they were still intent on living wickedly. Yet, in chapter 2, he remained resolute, refusing to give up, by embracing the following traits that we should as well when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges:
1. A Positive Attitude – He was determined to stand firm in fulfilling his responsibilities and purpose, given their importance to so many others. Your life has value and significance because you are here for a unique and divine purpose. Embracing this truth gives motivation to be positive in the face of hardship.
2. A Purposeful Assignment – God gave Habakkuk the task of documenting his vision so that others would be influenced and guided to respond accordingly. Recognize that your faithfulness and diligence to your purpose will provide leadership and purpose to others.
3. A Powerful Assurance – God assured the prophet that the struggles would not be for an indefinite period of time. The realization of the vision and his destiny would eventually come to pass.
4. A Particular Approach – It is essential to rely on the power of God to make it through the challenges of life. We were not made to be self-reliant but to live dependent on God.
So, whatever you are going through, remember that to fulfill your God-given purpose and realize your destiny, it is essential to hold on to your towel.