Giving Up, Part II

Friday, June 23

Giving Up, Part II

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional soccer player or a housewife, we’ve all had moments where we feel like enough is enough. A sense of helplessness seeps in and makes us believe that there’s nothing that we can do to help the situation anymore, so you might as well just stop trying. You feel like what you’re doing is never going to be good enough and success is a far off fantasy. This sense of helplessness can come when you’ve started a new project, when nothing is working out, or feeling stuck in the same old habits. A cycle of continuous failure may abound with seemingly no way of escape. A decision to give up comes first with a mental shift. Therefore it is crucial in these moments for you to flip the script. You have to actively and consciously make a decision that whatever you’re feeling today is not the end. You must begin speaking positive affirmations over your life. You are the sons and daughter of a King. You are who God says you are and with that You can do whatever God has called you to do.

So what are some of the tools found in God’s Word that we can find to teach ourselves never to give up, even in the face of failure?

First is prayer. We are told “…..The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16. It may seem like a cliché at this point, but I still think it bears repeating; prayer changes things. Our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to ask for help. When you find yourself stuck and wanting to give up, pray and ask God what He wants you to do. Perhaps you will find the strength you need to carry on when you depend on God to carry you.

Next we can change our perspective. We are created in the image of God and with that we can be who God has called us to be. God has always called the ordinary to do extraordinary things.

Finally we can surround ourselves with positive-minded people. In Proverbs 27:17 we are told “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” If you surround yourself with believers who encourage and uplift you even when you fail, there is a greater chance that you will want to carry on instead of just giving up.

Prayer for today: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for encouraging me to carry on. Give me the strength never to give up on You. Amen.