When Giving Up Seems Like the Only Answer

What do you do when the odds are against your favor and you feel like giving up? How do you continue to press forward when you feel like nothing is going your way? When the test results don’t come back in your favor? What about when the ongoing medical processes aren’t yielding positive results for your loved one? Your prayers and pleas to God late at night for your family aren’t producing the immediate, positive results you were hoping for? The cries out to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to help you with your job situation seem to go unanswered? What about when the financial freedom that you have been praying for months and months and sometimes years for don't seem to be getting answered? Do you give up?

Giving Up Is Not an Option

We are not made of a spirit of giving up. God created us to press forward no matter what the end of the road may look like from a distance. Even in the darkest of times, we are built strong. We are covered with the blood of Jesus, so we can stand firm on solid ground.Struggles come in all shapes and sizes - fears, addictions, anxiety, persecution, depression, worries, and more.  These things can seem to take over our thoughts. But God tells us when we face trials we should not lose hope! Be encouraged, God has called you to be an overcomer!

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Recently I’ve gone through a number of trials where I wanted to give up.

I did not see God at the end of the dark tunnel. My father had kidney disease and was facing a much-needed kidney transplant. Doctors were not hopeful for a match. I recently tested to become a general contractor. Having failed the first time and preparing to test a second time, I couldn't see God at the end of that test nor did I expect the results to be in my favor. Even being in a blended family with three bonus children and a fourth double bonus child, sometimes it’s hard to see where my life fits into God's plan. How could I possibly think that my life could fold into the lives of children who are not biologically mine and make a perfect fitting puzzle?And how in the world do I think I can manage owning two businesses, managing my husbands business, volunteering at church and having a real full-time job? Who wouldn't want to throw their hands up when looking at a to-do list that is longer than a sheet of paper? But don’t you know that God in His Almighty glory comes through in all situations, shows up, and shows out! Even still, this doesn't mean the doubt doesn't sometimes creep in.I struggle with anxiety and depression on occasion for absolutely no reason! When I take a step back and examine my life, what on earth do I have to be sad about?  God is so good and I am so blessed, so why do I struggle? Running and giving up sometimes seems like the only answer, but that's not what we are called to do.

If I am honest I can tell all of you that I have wanted to give up many of times.

Weeks before I was scheduled to take the test to be a general contractor the second time, I wanted to give up and throw my hands up. I wanted to throw them up high in the air and scream, "I give up!" During the times when my father was called in for multiple tests and potential kidney donors, but faced failure after failure, I wanted to throw my hands up in the air. I wanted to give up hope.Several scriptures, though, helped me through those difficult times. Read these verses about overcoming struggles to lift your spirits and renew your mind.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James‬ ‭1:19-21‬ ‭NIV“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12 NIV

When we experience affliction — whether it's the death of a family member, the pain of divorce, or the heartbreak of a disobedient child — the author of Romans tells us to be patient. Pray earnestly. God can work anything out for our good and His glory.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 NIV

It’s not easy to keep doing the right thing when it feels like you’re getting nothing in return.

Have you ever noticed when you are doing all of the right things, serving your community, being the hands and feet of Jesus, being the light to other people, things start to go haywire?  The enemy does not like to see people living for God and doing all that He has called us to do.  Any opportunity the enemy can take to throw us off our game, he takes.

Related Post: Jesus Will Never Give Up On You!

The Bible promises if we will persevere, we will see a return on our investment. Our words and actions can make an eternal impact on the people around us. We might not know the legacy we will leave on this side of eternity, but we can trust that Jesus will bless our hard work.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 NIV

When you feel beaten down, when you’re too tired to keep going, remember we are promised the crown of life.

Our reward in heaven is worth the trials we face on earth. The same way the exhilaration of completing your first marathon is worth the pain of training and running it.

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.” 2 Samuel 22:7 NIV

God always hears us when we call on Him.

He doesn’t always give us what we want, but He always gives us what is best for us. If we trust the Lord, even when we don’t understand, we can begin to see where He is working in our lives. When we ask for help and then seek God, He will open our eyes. He opens our eyes to experience Him in new ways that bring us closer to Him.

God’s understanding is far greater than ours, and we have to trust that His timing is perfect.

We serve a mighty God who will never abandon us and who wants the best for our lives. It’s not always easy to wait in a world of instant gratification. But if we stop limiting God to our own deadlines, demands, and desires, we can experience a calmness. He is the calmness amidst the chaos in our lives.Life isn’t always going to be easy. But God promises us that when we press on and dive deeper into His word, His glory will reign forever bright. We will come out on the other side, and we will reign victorious with our king.