Have you ever had these thoughts?:
- “My goal/dream of ____________________(fill in the blank) is never going to come to pass – I might as well stop trying!”
- “Why bother with losing weight, people should just accept me for who I am inside, right?”
- “Why do I always get sick, have financial problems, etc – doesn’t God care about me anymore?”
- “I’ve been praying for so long for __________ to change, nothing has changed – it’s time to stop praying.”
- “I have failed so many times, it’s never going to work.”
If you said “yes” to any of the above or other thoughts on giving up then welcome to the club. We have all felt like that at some stage in our lives (probably multiple times especially if you are going through changes or wanting to move forward in your life).
Those “giving up” feelings are telling you that it’s time to reset your faith and purpose. Grab the “giving up” feelings and decide to not allow them to take you down into discouragement. View this as an opportunity to grow and discover a fresh intimacy with God.
Here are 10 thoughts or actions to help you take time out to reset your life and bravely move forward!
1. God’s Time Table is not Necessarily our Time Table …so don’t give up, your answer might just be around next corner!
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV
2. God is Always Working
We may not see it until the fulfilment of a promise but He is always preparing the way for us behind the scenes. So don’t give up. God has not forgotten you or your goal/dream or problems – believe that He is working on it.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 ESV
“In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17 NIV
3. Remember God is with you, always
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV
Joshua had a hard task ahead of him – to train up a battle ready army from refugees and to resettle an entire nation into a new unconquered country. A big task. An impossible task for one man. But with God and His promised presence – what has been asked of you- is going to succeed. Don’t give up. It’s time to put on your big girl/boy pants and be strong and courageous. No more fussing – the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords is with you on this.
4. Keep Praying Impossible Prayers
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 ESV
Our God is the creator of the heavens and earth – everything we see and don’t see. Nothing is impossible for Him. He can create something out of nothing. He can turn water into wine – no problem. He can open up ears to hear and eyes to see. He can change diseased skin into healthy skin. He can take a cold heart towards heavenly things and bring it alive with His light and love. No problem. He can take an impossible situation, a dark tunnel or a seemingly dead end and create a new solution, a light or an open door that wasn’t there before. So don’t give up praying. Keep your hope alive.
5. Take a Soul Rest
“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV
It might be time for a rest. Rest from striving. Rest from performance. Rest from trying to do everything in your own strength and wisdom. But never a rest from believing! Open up your heart and mind for a reset. Take up Jesus’ offer for His rest. Lay down your plans, goals, dreams, issues and problems at His feet. Allow Him to give you His wisdom and point you in the right direction to start again. So don’t give up..take a rest, breathe in then start again.
6. It always comes down to Faith
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 1 Cor 16:13 ESV
At the source of every fear, worry, and negative feeling is a lack of faith in God. Think about it. It’s true isn’t it? The Greek word for firm in this verse is steko which means to persevere, to persist, to keep one’s standing. We have the choice to either stand firm in faith or to give up and give in to negative feelings, doubt and discouragement. So don’t give up. Keep believing in God’s promises to you. Keep trusting that He cares deeply for you. Keep the vision before you.
7. Remember/Discover Your Why
“Then the Lord replied, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:2-3
There is a reason and purpose for your life on this planet. God hasn’t taken you home yet so while you are on earth, there is something planned just for you to do or be. Ask God to remind you of the “why” to your life. Write down His revelation. Keep this vision in front of you every day. So don’t give up. Believe that what God has called you to do will happen in His timing.
8. Get Back Up
“though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” Psalm 37:24 ESV
If you have stumbled, failed, strayed, sinned, offended, cheated, or wandered it’s time to look up and see the Lord’s outstretched hand waiting for you to grasp hold of it. It is never too late to start again. So don’t give up – instead stand up, grab God’s hand and decide to walk on God’s path. It’s always the best way.
9. Give Thanks
“From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers and they will not be decreased. I will bring them honour, and they will not be disdained.” Jeremiah 30:19
The enemy of our souls wants us to stay down, to take the discouragement road and not return to firm faith. He hates the people of God giving thanks and rejoicing. He wants to steal your joy. Don’t give him the chance. Determine in your heart and mind that no matter what happens you will stay in an attitude of thanksgiving and joy. Know who your God is. Take time to list what you are thankful for. Celebrate the victories. So don’t give up, thank God and pray for His joy that is in you to bubble over.
10. Do Not Give Up
Final word...”But as for you, be strong & do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7
This is true in the spiritual as well as the natural. In the natural, Stephen King (the author) received 60 rejections until he sold his first short story .He didn’t give up.
Colonel Sanders was rejected more than 1,000 times before finding someone who would partner in his secret recipe franchise – Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Henry Ford went through two bankruptcies before his dream of revolutionising the automobile industry came to pass.
William Carey was told to forget his vision of seeing the gospel shared around the world. He never gave up. Instead he founded the Baptist Missionary Society and become known as the father of modern missions because of his missionary work in India.
Keep leaning into Him…
This Week’s Standing Firm Resources:
~~ If you feel like giving up because you feel you are not ‘making it’ listen or read this podcast by Emily P Freeman – “ Don’t Try To Be Great – very encouraging!
~~Never Give Up – Amazing True Story video 7min – inspiring story of a guy who didn’t give up on people discovering Jesus – listen to the end and find out the results after 16 years – only God!
~~Four Ways to Savour Jesus More – John Piper 9min – This is a must see video. I love number 3 – Strive to increase your taste for the glory of God as your favourite pleasure. How are you doing with that? which way resonated with you?
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