Shrinking back?

Studying Hebrews with our community Bible study has been good and challenging. We've meandered  through warnings and promises and the reality of a High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us.  Here is my response to the lesson this week from chapter 10, verses 35-39.

³⁵ So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷ For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.”

³⁸ And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

shrink-

to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance: to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact

Lesson Question:
What does shrinks back (10:38) mean to you?

"Well that sure didn't work out", she concluded as she closed the door on another relationship.  "I'm not wasting time and effort on trying to be nice to her when all I get back are nasty remarks and sly put-downs."
     **Shrink back, or keep killing with kindness**

"They have no right to treat me that way or criticize what I do.  I'll just resign from the committee.  They apparently don't need me anyway."
     **Shrink back, or ask God for wisdom and humility and confidence in the midst of opposition**

"It's like I don't even exist.  No one takes anything I say seriously.  So I'll just shut-up and keep my thoughts to myself."
     **Shrink back, or believe He has good plans for me**

"Oh, I forgive her.  I just don't think we can be close anymore.  I'm not trusting her again."
     **Shrink back, or love as He loves me**

"I'm not praying as hard for that anymore.  God hasn't answered, so it must not be important to Him."
     **Shrink back, or press on in faith."

"I'm not praying as hard for that anymore.  I don't see anything happening so I kind of forget about it."
     **Shrink back, or make effort to remember what is important to Him**

"I want to be closer to God...I'll spend more time with Him...after I check my emails, take my next turn in Scrabble online, catch-up on Facebook, watch the news, call my kids, read my newest magazine..."
     **Shrink back, or be deliberate about pursuing my relationship with the Lord of Lords and King of 
          Kings who gave his life for me, knowing that in His presence is fullness of joy.**

"I'm getting older now, it's just easier to let someone else do it.  Besides, I've put in my time.  I think I deserve to slow down a bit."
      **Shrink back, or persevere in doing His will knowing He waits to richly reward me and He has no early retirement options or plans.  Each day I'm here, I'm His delight and He promises to provide for all my needs. If every hair on my head is accounted for, how can I not have confidence that He will be faithful to me and help me to continue to faithfully follow Him.**

Thank you, Father, that by your grace, I belong to those who do not shrink back but have faith and are saved. 

Further contemplation: 
C.H. Spurgeon-http://www.raystedman.org/hebrews2/heb2comm2.html#anchor159102