YES, it's a cliché; but this is one line that some of us, if not all, need to be reminded of.

I recently saw this Facebook post titled "Lincoln Never Quits," which details the numerous so-called "failures" of US president Abraham Lincoln before he ended up in the White House. It goes:

"Probably the greatest example of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. If you want to learn about somebody who didn't quit, look no further.

"Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.

"He could have quit many times -- but he didn't and because he didn't quit, he became one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country.

"Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the White House:

"1816 - His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.

"1818 - His mother died.

"1831 - Failed in business.

"1832 - Ran for state legislature - lost. Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in.

"1833 - Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business but by the end of the year, he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.

"1834 - Ran for state legislature - won.

"1835 - Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.

"1836 - He had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.

"1838 - Sought to become speaker of the legislature - defeated.

"1840 - Sought to become elector - defeated.

"1843 - Ran for Congress - lost.

"1846 - Ran for Congress again -- this time he won -- went to Washington and did a good job.

"1848 - Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.

"1849 - Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.

"1854 - Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.

"1856 - Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's national convention - got less than 100 votes.

"1858 - Ran for US Senate again - again he lost.

"1860 - Elected President of the United States."

Well, at least I'm writing this piece to remind myself that in such times of great tribulations and setbacks in life, there is always a reason to stay strong and never give up -- God's love and mercy. And I'd like to quote myself in my first ever column published in this newspaper:

"I know that there are many people out there battling their own struggles, fighting their own demons, as I am presently doing in my life too. There are many times when we feel like we reached the end of the line, when we feel like giving up; but then God surprises us with His mercy and love by making us feel that He will always be there for us no matter what.

"Through the daily hustle and bustle of survival, through the pile of debts unpaid, and through all the toils that we encounter, we must be thankful. For it is in suffering that we become alive. We have to surrender everything to God, and ask for His grace and blessing to overcome all the difficulties that burden us. We just have to keep our faith that everything will work out in His time, and through His will. Lastly, after God has blessed us with His providence, we can also become blessings to other people."