Taken by Ralph Trapletti 19 Feb 2026 in Halong, Vietnam and used by approval.
The year is well under way with several pressing problems that have seemed to multiply substantially the past few weeks. As I cry out to the Lord early every morning, bemoaning my lot at His feet, I did not expect His answer.
Don’t Give Up!
Three times I read ‘Don’t Give Up’ on the same morning. But I’m not giving up Lord! I don’t understand why you are giving me this instruction?!
Once again, I became quiet, thinking of the 3 words and decided to ask the Lord to explain to me what He meant by saying to me not to ‘Don’t Give Up’!
- Nico, I don’t want you to give up on Anita (I have been praying about her health for many years.)
- Nico, I don’t want you to give up on XXX (name withheld)
- Nico, I don’t want you to give up on South Africa
- Nico, I don’t wat you to give up….
As I though back I thought about our own children …
I did not give up on my son Nico – since 2010 he has been a highly successful CEO of our Group
I did not give up on Louise – after years of training she is a highly successful principal coordinator at Eduplex
I did not give up on our country – just as God has encouraged me over the years to enlarge our tent, spread out our tent pens (Is 54:2-4); to forget the former things, and that He is doing something new (Is 43:18+19) and to multiply and not dwindle away (Jer 29:6(b) and pray for the peace and prosperity of the city (Nico! Stop praying for I, myself and me and look away from yourself!) for if the city prospers, we will prosper (Jer 29:7)
And this morning I read “…we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9(b) in the NIV) and in the Living Bible “We will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” and I realised that discouragement is one of Satan’s main weapons to attack us…. along with fear, and then, we want to give up.
Dear Reader, join me in running the race to win (after all it’s the last few yards that tell.) To not get discouraged or give up, or let fear paralyze us, but to start looking away from ourselves, pray for our city / country and be kind to everyone and not get tired of doing that what is right.
May God bless you and empower you on this journey to not give up, but to look up!
Thank you so much Nico for sharing. Your message was exactly what I needed this morning as I am lying in my hospital bed.
It has given me another take for our vision with ETI. Your words inspired me to also cherish my friends more and to never give up on the people around us. It’s those “last few yards” that count the most, and I’m so glad to be running this race with you.
Let’s keep looking up and pushing those tent pegs out!
Soli deo Gloria
thank you Nico,Amen and i also pray for our country and your Family
I needed this too today. Praying for months for my brother’s family in Aus. Their son has autism and they are at dead ends.We can never give up on a family child.
We will pray with you Nicolene. NEVER give up on praying!
Amen! Looking up instead of looking at the problems changes everything. Thank you for the word of encouragement.
In a world of instant gratification, it’s easy to quit when results don’t come fast.
But breakthroughs often happen right after the struggle.
Thank you for reminding me to never give up, it is God’s timing, not mine. 🙏✨”
AMEN Nico!!! Praise God, thank you for the reminder and encouragement
Very much needed this today my friend! I had a “giving up” attitude for so many things today. As I end my day reading this encouragement-I think of the many opportunities Christ has given us-to be encouraged and not give up!
Amen to that Nico.
Praying every day for my daughter, who lost her husband on March 2nd. just one year ago at the age of 45
Praying for her children, who were then Fynn, 17, Nils 15 and Jill 11, who found her daddy lying in bed and thinking he was still asleep…
Praying for Nils, because he is since September 2025 in a special rehab clinic to get away from his drug slavery…and he is still there…
Praying for Andreas’ children as well, because the husband of his daughter has long covid and cannot do anything anymore… they have two little children who are grewing up now without their father…
Praying every day for Ukraine, where the people are freezing, because Russia destroys and bombs their infrastructure on a daily base
Praying for the USA, because Donald Trump is destroying the country with all his lies and decisions…
Sometimes I am just wondering where all the answers are… Can you imagine?
Praying for you and Anita tonight and for your beautiful country as well.
Big hug from Switzerland and sending you love and light.
Ine
Thank you Ine – we will pray with you. Life is not easy, let us continue to pray and not give up. Thank you for your prayers for our country! We are excited in for what God is busy doing. A new thing!
Amen to that Nico. South Africa ndeeds prayers at the moment.
Amen, I am truly blessed.
I needed this today – never give up
Leanne
AMEN!!!
SDG!