This entry has been developed as a submission for a Holy Hip-Hop Devotion Contest with National Gospel Rap Artist, FLAME and Trailblazin' Ministries

Proverbs 21:5 (KJV) - The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

When I was in the second grade, I was a straight A student. By the middle of the school year, my teacher wanted to immediately skip me to the third grade. I was excited, but scared of being in a classroom with bigger kids. Much to my surprise, my mother declined my teacher's request and told me that since 'I wasn't going to amount to anything, why should I be skipped?' I was devastated.

By the time I reached the fourth grade, I allowed my mother's statement to destroy my mental resolve. I was disruptive and unruly in school. The school had to call my mother almost everyday. I became just what she said. My last report card was filled with Cs and Ds - I almost flunked. Within the first two weeks of summer, my mother couldn't take much more and sent me to live with my father.

Fast forward 11 years...I was a sophomore in college on a basket ball scholarship. During the season, I had wrist surgery and a falling out with the coach. Toward the end of the year the coach informed me that my scholarship would not be renewed for the next year. I talked to my father about various ways to pay for my last two years of college, but he nipped all of my ideas. Then, two weeks later, he told me that I was going to wind up in jail, on the unemployment line, and on welfare. My heart felt like it dropped to pit of my stomach.

I wanted to become more than what my father said. The LAST thing I wanted was for him to visit me in jail and say 'I told you so.' I became determined to finish college. For me, receiving my degree was the goal. It was a way for me to prove to myself and my father that I can succeed, but I had an uphill battle ahead.

During that summer, I moved in with my grandparents which gave me some time to get my life together, but things were looking bleak. Being a 20-year old with little college education doesn't welcome the best job offers. I worked temporary job after temporary job. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find a job that would allow me to live on my own and attend school. I cried so many days because I wanted to do something positive with my life, but nothing seemed to be working.

Around the same time, my girlfriend and other friends were talking about selling drugs and getting into credit card scams. I didn't want to go to jail and become some dude's wife and I DEFINITELY didn't want to become what my father said, so I had to get on the grind to find a legal way to finish school.

I took my grandparent's white pages and began looking for work. I thought about becoming a police officer or firefighter, but my girlfriend turned me away from those careers. Then I saw an entry for the military recruiter, but I said to myself that would be my last option. Two weeks later I was at the military recruiter's office. Before going to the recruiter, I said to myself, "to get where you want to go, you have to do what don't want to (legally)." Joining the military wasn't my top choice, but I knew it would give me an opportunity to get my life together.

For the first four years of my military career, I was only able to take five classes, but I wasn't swayed. Many years went by where I could only take one class at a time or no classes at all, but I didn't lose sight of my goal. Little by little, I chipped away at my goal. Finally after ten years in the military, I graduated from the University of Maryland University College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Information Systems Management.

Within our fallen world, the sinful nature ushers many challenges that test our lives. They seem larger than life and can consume our entire being. Then, we believe we'll never make it...so the best thing to do is to give up. But you don't have to give up; you don't have to quit. You can be an overcomer!

You have to believe...and it starts with the mind!

Being an overcomer doesn't mean your situation will get better overnight. I faced numerous hardships in the process of earning a college education. There were many times when I felt like giving up, but without the mental resolve to continue, I would have. Our quick-fast-now society doesn't talk about holding on and persevering, but living as a Christian depends on it.

James 1:2-4 (NIV) - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

You don't have to be a statistic or what others say you will become! All things are possible through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)!

A Closer Look...

What areas of your life need a little mental toughness?

Why would you believe it is important to be mentally tough? Read (Proverbs 14:30; Romans 12:2).

How can you exercise your mental 'muscles?' Read (Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 15:28; Philippians 4:8; 1 Peter 1:13-15).

What are a few sources of help to you develop mental toughness? Read (Proverbs 27:6; Proverbs 27:17; Philippians 4:6-7).

Hold on...be strong...don't you ever give up!