'TO QUIT OR NOT TO QUIT?!'

     Have you ever QUIT, or really wanted to QUIT, something?  I'd say that most of us have!  I have!  Usually, when one begins something, her intention is to finish it.  But, every now and then, for whatever the reason, she "FEELS" as though she can't continue with it.  I don't think anyone 100% desires to QUIT an endeavor with which she chose to be involved!  Sometimes there is a legitimate reason to consider, and/or, actually discontinue a thing, however, oftentimes, a person is simply, discouraged, tired, confused, or is leaning toward some other kind of rationale, etc. What I try to remember to do whenever I get to the point of contemplating quitting something, is to, first of all, PRAY about it, and put it in God's hands.  Then, I think about WHY I even chose, at its beginning, to get involved with "it!"  I also try to imagine quitting, and how I may "feel" afterward, and to think about some of the possible consequences (short and long term) of my decision.  I try to think about all the different angles of how it may potentially affect (presently and futuristically) me, and other people.  I examine my motives and intentions concerning the entire situation.  I read my 'Bible,' and TRY to listen to what 'The Holy Spirit' is saying to my "heart."  Anymore, I discuss important, personal issues, less often with other people, than I did when I was younger, but, IF, I do choose to ask another for advice, or to just talk about it, I am very careful with whom!  I do not enjoy quitting anything, but, there are times that a "girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!"  My dislike of the results of QUITTING are partly to be accredited to learning the hard way how VITAL it is to be VERY careful to, WHAT and WHOM, that I say, "YES," and that it is perfectly okay to "just say, "NO!"  Whenever I assess my life, the times when I have quit something, I almost exclusively regret.  So, I choose to continue to "LIVE and LEARN," applying the lessons acknowledged to my current life situations and decisions.  As far as a person completely giving up on life, she absolutely CANNOT!  She needs to reach down deep inside her will, and CHOOSE LIFE!  Jesus desires to give us abundant LIFE (John 10:10)!  The only reason that I am still here is because HE perpetually graces me with this abundant life!  Believe me, I have had tough times, especially years ago, when "spirits of depression and suicide" were oppressing me for approximately twenty years, "whispering" discouraging things to my mind, and coming against me in other ways, when a part of me was tempted to QUIT, many times!  During that time, the evil "spirits" would suggest things such as, suicide being my answer, and other evil things!  'The Holy Spirit,' 'The Word,' 'God's' angels, the prayers of my loved ones being answered, etc., kept me from believing the LIES, protected me, and influenced me to "keep on keeping on," by HIS GRACE!  So, I DO understand being discouraged enough to being tempted to give up!  In addition to all of that happening, and lots of other frustrating circumstances, many of which were due to "spiritual warfare," and from being "in the ministry."  I would get weary in the battle (Ephesians ch. 6)!  Dear soul, do NOT quit!  DON'T be ashamed to ask for help!  Ask people whom you trust, and that you know are spiritually mature, to pray for you, etc.!  Going to 'Christian' counseling was used by God to tremendously minister to me.  I am SO thankful NOW that I did not "throw in the towel" on my earthly existence, no matter how difficult life gets at times!  I don't think that you'll regret NOT quitting on life, either!  However, concerning your less significant issues of life, and whether or not to quit, I'm at a loss with any advice! Ha!  You must figure those out for yourself!  In my experience, as I ponder upon my journey, usually, the times that I have QUIT something, especially without having PEACE about doing so, I ended up dealing with REGRET, and sometimes GUILT.  One of the main instances of this for me, is NOT finishing college.  For years it really bothered me that I had not reached this goal that I had set for myself.  However, I now understand in my 'spirit,' that, with or without a college degree, I still would have chosen the same path, and made the same MAJOR choices and decisions in the same way that I have made them (getting right w/God, 'saved,'  keeping my marriage together, being a "stay at home mother," staying in the ministry, seeking HIS will, and trying to submit to 'The Lord' in all ways, etc.)!  Therefore, I presently have peace within, knowing that, I am exactly where I am supposed to be today according to God's plan for my life!  And, IF HE ever wants me to finish college as part of HIS PLAN FOR ME, HE shall let me know, and, help me to "GETTER DONE!"  Ha!  There are also endeavors that I have QUIT in the past about which I have NO REGRET whatsoever, and actually feel joy and happiness whenever I think about having QUIT them!  Ha!  I choose to not elaborate on these at this time!  You're welcome! Such realizations reinforce the commitment that I've made to myself, being that, I CAN TRUST 'The Lord's' leading, and the instincts in which HE's put in me, to know in each given situation whether to say, "yes or no!"   I truly believe that every single thing I experience in life has the potential to teach me important truths to assist me with my future journey, IF, I'll investigate, analyze, meditate, and apply, etc. each one!  I sincerely TRY to do this, trusting 'The Lord' to use ALL of it for, my good, other people's good, for HIS honor and glory, and always praying that HIS perfect will is accomplished!  Presently, I am dealing with a VERY difficult consequence of a decision that I made, saying, "yes," whenever I probably should have said, "NO!"  Or, I should have, at least, fasted and prayed more about it, and then, WAITED for 'HIS' answer, and THEN, OBEYED HIM!  Dealing with the ramifications of this is, ONCE AGAIN, a LEARNING experience!  Yeah!  My 'FATHER'S' discipline concerning this circumstance has been, obvious, stern, etc., and yet, patient, loving, and compassionate, etc.!  HE has clearly reminded me that it is BEST to surrender to HIS WILL, and, LET HIM have HIS way in ALL matters!  This is teaching me other lessons as well!  I make A LOT of mistakes, but, God has given me the wisdom, largely from my past  failures, to NOT LET them be "in VAIN!"  The devil doesn't WIN, IF, I get BETTER from a "FAILURE," even if I QUIT, as long as I LET GOD make me more like HIM from it (Philippians 3:13)!  I CHOOSE to ADVANCE...!!  Please, be determined to LET GOD help you make WISE decisions, and to NOT QUIT (generally)!!  Carry on...