Doesn’t life feel like a boxing match at times? You’re in the middle of the 6th round, tattered, weak, and desperately needing to sit in the corner and rest. How many times have you thought, If I could just sit out for a moment…?

Obviously, we need to rest at times, but sometimes rest can be used as an excuse to quit and not get back into the fight. I’ve heard it so many times: “I’m through.” “I can’t take it anymore.” Rest is supposed to be a temporary place to refresh, getting you ready to come out of your corner swinging—because in life the punches never stop coming.

Today I want to speak to the hearts of guys on the verge of throwing in the towel. Listen, we’ve all been there. If someone tells you they haven’t, that person hasn’t fought for anything worth fighting for in life.

As men we were designed not just to take punches, but to take on challenges and defeat them. Yet many times in life, we have opportunity to give up or give in because of:
bad decisions
wrong business moves
things beyond our control
where we came from
lack of resources
And this list goes on and on…

But it’s up to us as men of God to shake off the dust when we fall, get back in the fight, and finish what we started.

Proverbs 24:16
For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.

One of my mentors, Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, said, “You’re a male by birth, but a man by choice.” We have to make the conscious decision to fight. And to keep fighting.

I remember when I first started sparring in kickboxing. I was totally geeked. I had the gloves, the outfit, and an idea of my Chuck Norris skill set. Before I knew it, I was lying on my back, staring up at the ceiling, thinking, “That dude just kick me in the face!”

I’m sorry to say, my reaction wasn’t, “Now I’m going to rip this guy’s head off!” No, my response was tentative, protective, and I found myself just taking punches.

Isn’t that how we react to life sometimes? We see how we want our marriage, our career, or our new way of life, to be. We have the “new outfit” and “the dream,” and suddenly, life throws a roundhouse kick of the century.

Let me encourage you, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Every man of greatness has fought a battle that was greater than himself. You are not alone in this! You have someone who is not only in your corner with you, but who is in the fight with you—Jesus Christ, the greatest champion that ever lived! He never gave up, and He stayed committed to the very end. He finished the fight. And won.

So, having Christ in us, we need to know what we’re made of. Yesterday, I was doing some light sparring with a retired boxing champ. He was training me and said, “Eric, your right hand has been attached to your body for 30 years, and you don’t know it!” In other words, “You haven’t tapped into the power and potential that’s already there.”

You have a power, a potential that is uniquely in you! Get to know that power by making a daily connection with your heavenly Father. You’re tougher than you think because your God is tougher than you think. He created you in His image and then even made you new in Christ.

Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

You are unique. You have a call that is vital and specifically for you. Your Father birthed a unique dream, a vision that takes a man like you to finish. That’s why you need to stay in the fight. For you and for others.

Live like the godly man only you can be.
Love your wife like only you can love her.
Fight passionately for the destiny of your family—the battle that only you can fight!

While in the fight, stay focused, keep your guard up, and don’t get distracted.

“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” Zig Zilglar

What is the greatest battle you are facing right now?

I’ve heard it said, “You cannot manage what you do not measure.” So you have to take inventory for a moment and honestly evaluate where you’re at in your fight. (What round are you in? Do you have godly life coaches to help you map strategy? Are you still giving 100% at this point?) Then spend time on your game plan. Write down some practical things you can do this week to help you not only stay focused, but win the fight!

We’ve all heard the saying, “To do the same thing over and over and expect change is insanity.” So let’s be smart about our dreams. What tactics do you need to change before you can win the fight? Are you willing to pay the cost to stay in the fight?

I hope so. Because what you’re fighting for is critical for you and your family. It’s worth it to keep throwing punches. Stay in the fight! You’ll be happy that you did.

Stay Strong,
Eric Shawn Raftery