I wonder how many times people give up just before a

The teacher of endurance, Joyce Meyer, once asked with piercing clarity: “I wonder how many times people give up just before a breakthrough—when they are on the very brink of success.” In this reflection lies both sorrow and hope: sorrow, for the countless unseen victories that never came to light because hearts grew weary; hope, because it reminds us that often the moment of greatest struggle comes just before the dawn. Her words call us to perseverance, to endure when the night seems longest, for that may be the hour when destiny itself is about to unfold.

The ancients spoke of this truth often. The Stoics taught that the final moments of trial are the greatest test of the soul. Just as the athlete collapses on the track when but a few strides remain, so too do many collapse in life, not realizing that their finish line was before them. Meyer’s question is not idle curiosity—it is a challenge to us all: do not abandon your path when it grows darkest, for the darkest hour comes just before the light.

History gives us countless examples. Consider the story of Thomas Edison, who endured thousands of failed attempts before the electric light came to life. How easy it would have been for him to give up on the 999th failure, believing that destiny had closed its gates. Yet he pressed on, and in pressing on, he illuminated the world. His story is proof of Meyer’s wisdom: success often lies just beyond the threshold where most surrender.

Another tale shines from the life of Abraham Lincoln, who failed in business, lost elections, and endured despair after despair. Yet he persevered, never abandoning the course of public service. Had he given up after yet another defeat, he would never have stood as the leader who preserved a nation in its darkest trial. His legacy, born of endurance, teaches us that breakthroughs do not come to those who retreat at the edge of hardship, but to those who remain steadfast.

The meaning of Meyer’s words is not simply about achievement, but about the nature of the human heart. The closer we are to victory, the more resistance we feel. Doubt whispers louder, fatigue grows heavier, and the temptation to quit presses hardest. But this is the very sign that we are near the goal. Like miners digging for treasure, many stop when only inches of earth remain. Those who endure, who keep digging when others cease, are the ones who uncover the gold.

The lesson, then, is clear: perseverance is not merely endurance, but faith in unseen outcomes. You must hold to your path even when results seem invisible. When discouragement rises, remind yourself that you may be on the very edge of transformation. Do not despise small progress; do not despise delay. The seed grows in silence before breaking through the soil. So too your efforts may be preparing a harvest you cannot yet see.

Practically, this means committing to patience and discipline. Set your eyes not only on the goal but on the daily act of faithfulness. When you feel like giving up, take one more step. When you feel the weight is too much, remember the countless who abandoned their dreams too soon. Let their lost victories remind you to endure until yours arrives. For success is often just beyond the place of struggle, waiting for the one who refuses to surrender.

Thus, let Joyce Meyer’s words ring in our hearts: never give up on the brink of breakthrough. For many victories are lost in the final hour of trial, but for those who hold fast, the reward is not only success, but the unshakable knowledge that you endured when others fell away. And that, more than the crown itself, is the true triumph of the soul.