What God says when you feel like giving up
This post encourages readers through bible verses about giving up
Life is hard. No matter how we plan, strategize, and try to execute, sometimes things just don’t work out as we planned. It often seems as if we try and try again only to be met by failure.
I mean, there’s only so much one can take. At this point, it becomes very tempting to give up and move on.
You may start to think:
“I’d be much happier if I didn’t have to deal with this anymore.”
“Maybe this isn’t for me. I think I heard God wrong.
“God made a mistake, I can’t do this”
If your thoughts have been sounding like the above, then this article is for you. Because I know and I’ve been there (sometimes it feels like I’m still there).
There were many times when I wanted to give up on my calling. During one season, I felt like I was going through trial after trial with no breaks.
It seemed Satan was throwing pebbles at everyone else and boulders at me. And honestly, those seasons of my life sucked.
To make matters worse, it’s easy to feel distant from God in these moments. It’s also easy for the enemy to slither in and try and convince you that God has abandoned you. This is far from the truth.
In this article, I want to shed light on the lies of darkness. If you are in a situation where you feel like giving up, my goal is to convince you to persevere. Seasoned sailors aren’t made in calm waters. It’s the past storms that God used to help them develop the skills and calm temperament we see.
The same goes for you. God will never give us more than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). He wants you to hang in there because He is doing something mighty.
You may ask, what could God be doing? Why does He have me going through this?
It’s for the same reason that all the other Christians in the bible, including Jesus, had to. He’s preparing you, molding you, and gently pushing you into the person He created you to be. You have a great purpose to fulfill in the Kingdom of God.
Let me show you what I mean by giving you some examples.
Also, I would like to add that if you have thoughts of hurting yourself in any way, please reach out for help! You are not alone and God placed resources on this earth to help you.
Here is a resource to use should you need it:
Text or Call 988 which is the Suicide Crisis Hotline. It’s free and available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Anytime.
Examples of biblical characters who wanted to give up
Several biblical characters expressed a desire to give up along with feelings of despair. God allowed their stories to be told so that you and I may find courage in our trials to carry on.
Here are a few examples of individuals who felt like throwing in the towel.
Elijah
**For reference, you can find the following biblical events starting in 1 Kings 16:29.
Elijah was a prophet who served during the time of King Ahab’s reign. He had a difficult task ahead of him. Defy the reigning king and queen and point them to the Lord.
After David, the kings of Israel moved farther and farther away from the teachings of the Lord. The Bible states that Ahab angered the Lord the most.
He became unequally yoked when he married Jezebel who worshiped Baal. Later Ahab started to worship Baal, even setting up an altar in a temple that he’d built. His wife Jezebel would go on to slaughter the prophets of the Lord.
Elijah was the man God called to stand against them.
Elijah asked Ahab to summon all of Israel along with the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. As for their task, Elijah and the worshippers of Baal and Asherah were to place pieces of a sacrifice on wood, but they were not to light it. Their God would.
Long story short, the prophets of Baal called from morning to evening for fire. Elijah poured water on his three times and called to the Lord who brought fire down. The people of Israel fell to the Lord proclaiming that He is God.
Elijah then slaughtered the false prophets. This angered Jezebel who threatened Elijah sending him running for His life. At this point, Elijah wanted to give up.
He had done this great thing for God and here he was in the wilderness praying to die.
The Bible states his exact words in 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV) which states,
while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.
Elijah was exhausted, emotionally drained, and overwhelmed by the challenges he faced. However, God did not abandon Elijah. He sent an angel to provide him with food and water, strengthening him for the journey ahead. Later in the same chapter, God reaffirms His presence and purpose for Elijah, renewing his strength and calling.
The same God that was with Elijah is the same God that you serve. He won’t abandon you. He will give you the strength, patience, and motivation you need to carry on.
Jeremiah
The prophet Jeremiah, also known as the weeping prophet, was also someone who knew the feelings of wanting to give up all too well.
Again, the people of Isreal had turned against God and started to worship other gods. God tasked Jeremiah to warn them about His coming judgment.
Jeremiah was an outcast preaching the word of God to people who would not listen. In Jeremiah 2-:14-18, Jeremiah in frustration wished that he had never been born.
And just like Elijah, God did not forsake him. He strengthened, protected, and covered Jeremiah as he fulfilled his assignment.
He will do the same for you.
Moses
Moses was the man God used to lead his people out of Egypt and shepherd them into the wilderness. Although God went with them fire by night and cloud by day, this proved to be a very difficult task.
Moses didn’t want the job in the first place. He didn’t think he was the right person for it and even asked God to choose someone else.
On the journey, the people complained about the food and how hard it was in the wilderness. In their anguish, they wanted to go back to the captivity that God had just freed them from. This angered God and Moses.
Here is Moses’s response found in Numbers 11:11-15 (NIV),
He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth?
Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”
Just like with Elijah and Jeremiah, God didn’t abandon Moses either. He provided a solution by helping Moses in carrying the burden. Although Moses had the anointing to fulfill his role, God took some of it off of Moses and placed them on the Elders.
If you look, you will see Him sending help your way as well.
It could be the person who randomly gives you an encouraging word in the grocery store or the friend who calls to check on you after “you ran across their mind.”
Bible verses about giving up
God’s word is filled with encouragement, hope, and guidance for those facing moments of difficulty and considering giving up. Here are a few bible verses about not giving up.
1. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV):
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
2. Galatians 6:9 (NIV):
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
3. Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV):
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
4. Philippians 4:13 (NIV):
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
5. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV):
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
6. Psalm 55:22 (NIV):
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Be sure to check out our blog article on giving your care to Jesus after you’re done with this one.
7. Joshua 1:9 (NIV):
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
8. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV):
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
9. Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV):
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
10. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV):
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
11. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
[H2]Prayer for when you feel like giving up
Dear God,
Life is so hard right now and I feel like I want to give up. However, I know that you are more than capable of handling my burdens. I know that in my weakness you are strong.
I ask for your help right now. I cannot do this on my own. I need your might and power. May your Spirit guide me in every step that I take and every decision that I make.
I know that this is all for your glory. Thank you for seeing me through in advance. I claim the victory in your mighty name.
In Jesus’s name. Amen.
[H2] Final thoughts on encouraging scriptures to help when you want to give up
I hope the examples above and the scriptures provided help you during your difficult season.
Hang in there, friend. The work He entrusted you with is too great. You are more than capable of handling whatever comes your way because He is. The Lord of Angel Armies fights for and with you.
Until next time,
Dr. Jay
