Never Give Up Day: Celebrating The Faith To Keep Going

Never give up is a message represented with scrabble letters in this picture. It's okay to pause and rest but not to quit. — Never give up is a message represented with Scrabble letters in this picture. It’s okay to pause and rest, but not to quit- Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash.

Let Me Testify Again

My Reason to Never Give Up

Never give up day is next week. Therefore, I am writing about this occasion for two reasons.

As a Black man with cerebral palsy, I wrestle with the temptation to quit daily. Sometimes I’m bound by internal faults and insecurities.

Then, there are moments when external pressures, like someone’s perception of me, become overwhelming. When overwhelmed, I choose to reflect on what God has done in my life.

Doctors thought I wouldn’t walk, but God is my healer. Others said I wouldn’t accomplish much, yet, by God’s grace, I am a college graduate and work part-time in the sports industry.

I’m living proof of what can happen when you commit your ways to God and refuse to accept life’s obstacles as defeat.

Additionally, I desire to know the impact Never Give Up Day will have on humanity’s overall attitude.

Is the originator’s vision for this day going to come to fruition? Will humans be more optimistic about facing challenges when achieving goals or overcoming difficult circumstances? Answers to these questions will come with time.

But for now, I’ll focus on the purpose, history, and ways to celebrate Never Give Up Day. I will also highlight biblical influences that reveal the importance of having faith in God amid trying circumstances.

Never Give Up Day

Its Significance & Purpose

Trying circumstances are obstacles everyone must experience at different stages of their life. Consequently, Never Give Up Day occurs every August 18th to celebrate humanity’s resilience and perseverance.

Since 2019, this occasion has united individuals from all walks of life. Unity manifests as humanity comes together in solidarity, celebrating the human spirit by not quitting when facing adversity.

Interestingly, scripture validates this unifying effort through the words of King Solomon.

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, New Living Translation).

Ecclesiastes 4:12 reveals the importance of community during a physical attack. Similarly, it subliminally reveals the significance of support when overcoming adversity.

This is noteworthy since supporters can encourage, provide wise counsel, and bear the burdens of someone beginning to lose hope.

Hope fuels the slogan “Happy Never Give Up Day,” which is the day’s focus for its 2025 campaign.

The new slogan honors an individual’s decision to keep going despite challenges. This phrase also highlights the pride and joy of choosing not to accept defeat.

Alain Horoit endorses this joyful pride, believing “when you refuse to quit, even in your darkest moments, you are already a winner.”

Alain Horoit’s Never Give Up Testimony

Horoit’s opinion about those who refuse to quit matters, as he founded Never Give Up Day. Thanks to his efforts, over 137 Canadian and United States cities recognize this occasion.

Unfortunately for Horoit, the inspiration behind acknowledging those who don’t quit comes from personal pain. After spending twenty years building a business, he lost everything due to bankruptcy.

This devastating tragedy is enough to make anyone abandon their dreams. To make matters worse, he was at the age where society suggests people should settle and fade out.

Thankfully, neither the tragedy nor societal pressure could stop Horoit from rebuilding his life. Instead, they became the factors that would create a great comeback story.

They also became a lifeline, helping him discover a new identity and purpose greater than himself.

Horoit declares, “I created this day not because I had won, but because I refused to give up when I had lost. That, to me, is where the real strength lies.”

His never-give-up attitude comes from a willingness to read stories about individuals who experience major setbacks but choose to keep fighting.

Thanks to his determination, Horoit inspires many people personally, in professional sectors, governments, and nations worldwide.

Determination from a Historical Perspective

Of course, Horoit is not the first person to experience tragedy and use it as a determination to keep going.

Scholars throughout history place a high value on motivation.

The Webster Dictionary credits the term for arousing people to action and being the reason behind their conduct. Our conduct is influenced by external rewards like money or internal factors such as needs and desires.

Aristotle believed reason came from the mind, courage from the chest, and desire from appetite. Meaning the thoughts, confidence, and willingness needed to do something require a whole-body effort.

According to René Descartes, this effort derives from will-power, the most influential force for motivation.

His theory suggests it’s willpower that:

Helps Derek Redmond finish the 1992 Barcelona Olympic 400m race after tearing a hamstring.
Enables Oprah Winfrey to overcome unemployment and become a world-renowned billionaire, talk-show legend, and humanitarian.
Allows James Fortune to overcome homelessness and become a Stellar-Award-winning Gospel artist.

The Faith to Keep Going

Paul’s Understanding of Motivation

While every individual needs some sense of determination to accomplish goals, willpower wasn’t Paul’s main source of motivation.

Acts 20:24 shows the apostle’s motivation is to finish his race and God-given mission to spread the Gospel. This is a noble desire by Paul, which is fueled by faith in Jesus Christ.

Ironically, it’s the dangers of his mission that could tempt Paul to give up on his divine calling. The Holy Spirit tells him about the hardships and imprisonments he will face for fulfilling his mission.

Instead of cowering amid danger, Paul decides to depend on his faith. He considers his life worthless compared to knowing and suffering for Jesus Christ.

Paul uses Galatians 6:9 to encourage others not to be weary in doing well, for they’ll reap a harvest if they don’t give up.

Interestingly, the Apostle connects the idea of not quitting to bearing the burdens of others. This validates the earlier stated belief that to keep going, we need supporters who are willing to help us overcome our struggles.

3 Women Refuse to Quit

Ruth helps Naomi overcome the realities of being a childless widow by devoting herself to and providing for her mother-in-law. Ruth wasn’t expecting a reward for her devotion but wanted to demonstrate compassion for a woman she admired.

However, her selflessness helped her gain acceptance into the kingdom of God and the lineage of the soon-coming Messiah. She also gained a husband, child, and restored Naomi’s joy by making her a grandmother.

Ruth’s testimony implies that empowering others to never give up may mean making selfless sacrifices without expecting a reward. Ruth’s story also shows God can use our decision to remain steadfast for his greater purpose (like grafting a Moabite woman into the faith).

Another woman who refused to give up is the lady with a blood issue. She suffered from this health condition for twelve years and lived in isolation due to communal laws.

These laws also state that she could not touch anyone because of her uncleanliness, thus making others unclean. Despite these restrictions, she took a leap of faith, touching the fringe of Jesus’ garment so she could receive her healing.

Her resilience teaches readers that when you’re tired of suffering, you’ll do whatever it takes (by faith) to receive a miracle.

Along with being touched to prove his miraculous abilities, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow to demonstrate prayer’s power. The widow visits a judge daily until he grants her request.

Jesus’ example proves that part of not losing hope in trying circumstances is to persist in prayer, trusting God will respond.

Celebrating Never Give Up Day

Persistent prayers for yourself or others is one way to celebrate Never Give Up Day. This is because scripture tells us to pray about everything and to keep seeking God for what we need.

Consistent intercession is also important because we can ask God to intervene in situations we can’t resolve. This is why Paul acknowledges believers for their prayers during his imprisonment.

Other ways to enjoy Never Give Up Day include