"Don't Give Up" (Kyle Idleman)

TITLE: Don't Give Up: Faith That Gives You the Confidence to Keep Believing and the Courage to Keep Going
AUTHOR: Kyle Idleman
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2019, (240 pages).

How do we encourage someone? Do we use the soft gentle approach like Mr Rogers? That might tempt one toward self-pity or worse, a sense of depression. Or do we use the William Wallace approach to usher in courage? That might move us beyond our comfort zones. In this book by bestselling author and senior pastor of one of the largest mega churches in America, we are told not only to never give up but to press on with the exhortation from the Bible book of Hebrews 12:1-3. After showing us the powerful examples of faith in the long list of people in Hebrews 11, we receive a “battle cry” to press ahead to finish the race of faith. There is a time for sympathy and a time to spring into action. Idleman’s key thesis has to deal with the latter. His three-part strategy is based on the Hebrews 12:1-3 text, especially verse 1.

1. Listen to the Crowd
2. Throw off the Weight
3. Run Your Race

For the title of the book is about enCOURAGEment. Just like the biblical book written by an unknown author, Idleman aims to help those who are weary, and who are on the verge of giving up. Don’t give up because we can take inspiration from the saints of old. Don’t give up because we have way much more to give. Don’t give up because we are called to persevere. In Idleman’s words, when we feel like giving up, “listen to the crowd.” This is especially so when we feel empty inside us, when we feel drained, and when we feel like we have nothing left to give. There is always something extra that comes not from inside us, but from the Giver of Life: God Himself. This is the essence of running the race. The first step in any Christian journey is faith. Without faith, one might not even want to take the first step. Faith is that confidence that the journey will be all worth it. Faith pushes on even when one feels like all the chips are down. Most importantly, faith is not mere believing but to keep on believing. It is not just a noun but a verb. When we feel most weak and vulnerable, we take courage from the cloud of witnesses who had done it before, and who are cheering us on. Keep on fighting. Keep on persevering just like Jacob who was one of those few rare individuals who wrestled with God. Idleman also guides us to avoid letting our faith becoming “blind faith.” Even as we try, beware that the “victim mentality” might have been known to creep up on us and derails us toward erroneous ways. Instead, accept the past for we cannot change it. Anticipate the future as we can still be a part of it. Brave the present for we already have what it takes to complete the race.

In “Throw off the Weight,” Idleman talks about four main things that inhibit our perseverance, or tempt us to give up: Anxiety, Religion, Lies, and Unbelief. Anxiety is a problem because it has to do with pride, which in turn tells us to exert control even in things beyond our control. Religion can imprison us through FOWOT “Fear of What Others Think.” Lies trick us by leading us away from truth. Unbelief will put us all back to square one to just before we even take the first step of the journey.

In the final part of “Run the Race,” this is where Idleman launches into a passionate and purposeful exhortation to overcome any obstacle, to pace ourselves, and to complete the race. Obstacles are not merely to be avoided. Often, we have to go through them or find ways to overcome. Some of these obstacles include indifference, feeling insufficient, overwhelmed by opposition, and discouraged by slow progress. Using the story of Nehemiah, we learn to build resilience. Learning to run the race a step at a time comes from knowing that our journey is more like a marathon. Finally, the key to keep on running is to have confidence.

My Thoughts
Such a book is so needed today. As Winter approaches, the cold and damp weather often clouds the minds and colours the moods of people. Even believers are known to fall into depression. Often times, this is because of the lifestyle that we live. For people who are busy, they often either want more time or they try out time management techniques. For all the benefits they bring, they can only help us so much. Sometimes, when we are down, we might not even want to try at all. We need something outside of ourselves in order to persevere. This is where this book does well. The author points us to our ultimate Source of Inspiration: God. Witnesses of God’s faithfulness are listed in the great chapter that lists the people of faith: Hebrews 11.

There are many motivational books that aim to boost our spirits. Sometimes, it is more about boosting egos more than anything else. That is not the Christian way. That is not the Christlike attitude. We run the race not for the sake of ourselves or our egos. It is for the sake of the gospel, the kingdom, and as witnesses for Christ in this world. Idleman’s three part treatise on encouraging people of faith is essentially about pointing us to the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. We run a race for a purpose larger than ourselves. In fact, we are racing for the prize of Jesus. We keep on believing and fighting because the gospel of the kingdom is worth it. It is priceless and deserves all of our energies. This message is important and necessary for many of us stuck in the rut of anxieties and worldliness. For me, I think the most powerful part of the book is in Section Two, the part about being unchained from the four horses of discouragement.

A word about motivational seminars. I hear some speakers share their discomfort when they see the same people coming for their seminars and conferences. While on the one hand, they appreciate a familiar face of support, on the other hand,they wonder if their seminars are mere booster pills that only last when the speaker is in town. Motivation is important,but we need much more than mere motivation. We need the Author of all life. For any one who might be tempted to give up, or knows someone about to throw in the towel, do yourself or your buddy a favour. Read this book, buy a second copy and give it away.

Don’t Give Up.

Kyle Idleman is senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He speaks to over 25000 people each weekend. He also speaks often at conferences, seminars nationwide. He has also written other books such as “Not a Fan,” “Grace is Greater,” “Gods at War,” and “The End of Me.”

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Books and Graf-Martin Communications without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.