Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up

By Melissa Motes

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:16-17).

Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.

These powerful words were immortalized by one of my favorite coaches when I was growing up. Coach Jimmy Valvano, was one of the greatest NCAA basketball coaches of all time. I was glued to the television at the age of 15 In 1983, when he led the NC State Wolfpack to a national championship in one of the most unforgettable upsets in college basketball history. The iconic image of Jimmy V running across the court, arms outstretched, looking for someone to embrace after their stunning victory over Houston, remains etched in the hearts of college basketball fans to this day.

However, the moment that truly defined Coach Valvano’s legacy came a decade later. On March 4, 1993, while courageously battling cancer, he took the stage at the ESPY Awards and delivered a speech that transcended sports. His words, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up,” resonated far beyond the realm of basketball, serving as a rallying cry for hope, perseverance, and the unrelenting will to keep fighting, no matter the odds.

Sports often mirror life, and let’s be honest—life is hard. There are seasons when the challenges seem too big and too hard and we’re left grappling with questions we may never fully understand.

Yet, in those moments, we can take comfort in a profound truth: God sees the end from the beginning. He is sovereign, and we are not. That truth alone should fill us with hope and encouragement.

The Apostle Paul is one of my favorite biblical figures because his life exemplifies perseverance. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul recounts his immense hardships—shipwrecked, beaten with rods, stoned, starved, abandoned, and so much more. Yet, despite his trials, Paul never quit. He was steadfast in his mission, fully committed to glorifying God in all circumstances. Paul’s life reminds us that our strength doesn’t come from ourselves but from the God who calls and sustains us.

God calls us to keep fighting the good fight. He’s already won the ultimate victory, and He promises never to leave or forsake us. He goes before us, clearing the path and leading us toward triumph. Like the greatest coach on the sidelines, Jesus has equipped us for the battles we face. Our role is to trust Him, press on, and never give up. Victory is already ours through Christ—so let’s keep running the race with endurance.

Jesus has already won.

Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.