SUNDAY STUDY: 7 Bible Verses to Read When You Feel Like Giving Up

From whatchristianswantotknow.com

Have you ever felt like giving up? I know I have, so here are some Bible verses to read when you feel you’re ready to quit. If you’re human, you’ve probably grown so frustrated by problems, trials, sickness or financial troubles that you felt like giving up even trying. I have been there and done that and bought the t-shirt, but there is real help besides praying to God. We can run to God’s Word and fill up on His promises. Let’s do that right now.

Grown Weary?

Isaiah 40:31 “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

I get tired more easily than I used to, and it’s not always from physical exhaustion. Sometimes it’s mental fatigue and frustration, but then I am forgetting that God can renew my strength and I don’t have to faint along life’s way. There is strength in God’s Word and in His great and precious promises. They can lighten the load while we’re running the race. That should make things a little easier.

Running the Race

First Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”

We don’t run the race of life for Christ without becoming weary or stumbling and falling, but you do realize we are running for something. The prize is entry into the Kingdom of God, but if we stop running, our prize will not be as great. We should not lose heart when we fall in the race…but race as if you see the prize across the finish line…and there it is…or there He is…Jesus! He is waiting for us at the end of the race so run as if you were running right into His arms.

Taking Courage

Second Chronicles 15:7 “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

The word courage is an interesting word. It comes from the Vulgar Latin “corāticum” which means “to take heart” or “of the heart.” We are told just that in several places in Scripture where is says “take courage” or “be courageous,” meaning we must act and take it up. We must take heart of the situation and be encouraged someday…probably not today…but someday “your work shall be rewarded” by God. Take courage in that fact.

Don’t Give Up

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

One lady swimming the English Channel in a fog finally gave up and got back into the boat, but if she had kept pressing on for only 1 & 1/2 more miles, she’d have made it. She gave up too soon, and later said, if she’d only known that she was that close to the shore, she’d have kept swimming. For us, we must keep moving and not grow weary of doing good since we may not reap immediately and we can’t see the shore yet. Reaping always comes much later after our sowing…so we may not see the reaping to its fullest extent until we enter the Kingdom. Only then will we finally receive all of what is due us.

Rewards Coming

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Do you believe God rewards those who seek Him with all their heart? I do. Just read Psalm 37. If we have faith, we will rest in the fact that our rewards are not in this life so we can’t give up just because we’re not being blessed as much as others. Our payment in full is probably not going to be in this life but in the life to come. Focus on that and then draw near to Him.

Strength for the Weak

Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Fear is the opposite of faith I believe. If we are not fearful, we must trust something, or in this case, Someone and that Someone is God. There’s no reason to fear if He promises to strengthen us and help us and uphold us by His right hand. Why the right hand? The right hand represents His authority and God promises by His own authority and Word that we have no reason to be dismayed or live with fear or give up. He is always there.

Not in Vain

First Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

I’ve done a lot of things in vain in my life, meaning they were useless and didn’t help me at all, but those who trust in the Lord shall never labor in vain or labor for nothing. Everything you do for Him matters…even a glass of cold water (Matt 10:42). The Lord knows what we are doing for Him (Matt 25:35-36) and will reward us openly for those things we do for Him in secret, but if we tell everyone about our good works, we already have our reward…the praise of men. For me, I will keep silent about what I do for Him so God will remember it. It’s not in vain. Don’t give up.

Conclusion

We do not go to heaven because we’re good or we’ve done enough to enter heaven. It is only through Jesus Christ and faith in Him that we are saved. There is no other way than to trust in Jesus (Acts 4:12; 16:30-31). If there was another way, Jesus died for nothing, but indeed, He has died for those who will trust in Him and they have received eternal life and have passed from judgment (Rev 21:8) unto eternal life (John 3:16-17). Have you trusted in Christ yet? Make today your day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2), or you may face His wrath after death (Heb. 9:27) or at His return (Rev 1:7; 20:12-15), whichever comes first…and it could come at any moment.

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