My Life Story: The man who does not know how to quit

It is always true that winning any form of competition requires certain levels of skills and tactics. In the Bible we read of the teenager David challenged the renowned Giant who was also champion of the Philistine’s army. Back then, soldiers who fought in wars were equipped with adequate preparations anticipating a positive outcome against the oppositions. Although most of the members of the Israeli army were afraid of the giant on the side of the Philistines, David saw victory beyond Goliath’s size, records, armory, and reputation. The height of the giant was well over three meters, and his fame as champion was circulated throughout the entire Middle Eastern territories. His weaponry which included: spear, sword, shield, helmet, shin-shields, boots, and Javelin, totaled several hundred pounds in weight.
Then too, without adequate preparation, soldiers were not permitted to go out on the battle field. Defying that protocol, David went out with the biggest surprise to meet the big man. Imagine, that must be also surprising for Goliath. No teenager had ever confronted him in battle. Besides, all those who met him were fully armed although they were all losers as well. So, to see the young lad running towards him with a bag strapped over his shoulder, a sling shot, and small rocks, must have surely minimized his expectation and tarnished his undisputed record. That is why David ran towards him instead of backing up in fear for quitters never win and Goliath was too large for the stone to miss.
When Moses sent the spies to observe the Promised Land of Canaan, they had mixed reports when they returned although they all saw the same objects in viewing the entire communities. They all saw and agreed that the land was fruitful for they brought the evidence in the luscious fruits of the promised land. However, twelve men came back and said they saw giants, and that was correct. Nevertheless, the problem arose when ten of the spies noted that they were inferior to inhabitants of the land of Canaan. This shows that lots of persons who quit, were seemingly speaking what looks like the truth, but all of that was under girded by tremendous fear.
On the other hand, the report of Caleb and Joshua was completely opposite. First, the two optimistic individuals agreed that the report of the other ten spies was partially accurate (Num.13: 26-33 NIV).
Whereas it was true that the land was populated with gargantuan warriors that was just half of the story. Referring to the same set of people (giants), the two brother who exercising their faith, noted that what they saw was just bread. All individuals are aware of the use of bread. It was interesting to note that God had already given them the land, and nothing or no one could prevent them from possessing the land of Canaan, for the Almighty does not make mistakes. Caleb and Joshua had always believed that every circumstance in life could be used in a positive manner.
Bear in mind that we have control over certain aspects of our behaviors. We certainly have the power to regulate our human behaviours to great extent; it does not come automatic. Dale & Smith (2013) did very well to explain this reality: “If individuals receive reinforcement every time they act in a certain way, the schedule is continuous. Continuous reinforcement schedules produce rapid learning, but extinction of the behavior is also rapid if the behavior is not reinforced” (p.162). Here Dale, and Smith are pointing out the importance to increase resistance to extinction. It is also natural to each of us to see the results when we practice certain behaviors from time to time with our social environment.
Let us take a look at mental Health Issues. We learned that there are occasions when clients with certain issues have the power to heal themselves by employing certain modalities. Take Anxiety and Depression for example. One of the main reasons for depression is that it stems from the thinking. When negative thoughts are entertained, emotions suddenly get into gear. As soon as the emotions are increased, they produce actions of behavior. Over time the cycle continues and ends up in chronic depression. At that juncture, the therapist encourages the client include activities that allow the thinking of the client to change the thought patterns to alter and eventually change.
Thus, the client is assisted through the changing of their own thoughts. In the Bible, it is not known if the ten spies who were sent by Moses to check out the land of Canaan were anxious or depressed why they came back with negative reports, but we can say with conviction that Caleb and Joshua were positive and it paid off. They agreed that some of what the ten men reported was in fact true. However, the balance of Joshua and Caleb’s report was of a different nature. The fact that they reported that what they observed was bread; and that was an indication that they were prepared to eat bread.
They did not specify whether they were prepared to break the bread or the favourite slice-bread with butter, cheese, or eggs. It is interesting how two persons can look on the same things and see different results. It is also interesting how the disparity between two opinions can be so wide. Even myself, sometimes in taking a second look and scrutinize an object make such enormous difference. It is also useful to remember that when we look at things. The eyes look and see images of varied sorts. However, while the eyes see those images, the mind might be looking at opposite images.