10 bible verses for when you want to give up

Lately life has been very full.

It’s been full of all kinds of good things – the busy everyday things, as well as forthcoming plans and events. Plus God constantly growing me and others throughout. It’s beautiful and hopeful and messy and imperfect, all at the same time.

Even when it’s good things, full can be a lot to take in. 

And then you’ve got the other side of full, since we still live in the world. There’s also hurts, limitations, challenges, failure, and sin. There’s people who need help, and we can’t always give it. There are problems that need solutions, and questions that can be left unanswered.

Of course I want what Jesus promises – “life to the full” (John 10:10, NIV). But then sometimes it comes, and I’m not ready to handle it.

Instead of facing fullness, busy-ness, and challenges with grace, I can feel defeated and want to just quit.

I want to curl up in bed, sleep or maybe watch TV or read, and just block it all out. Basically, I want to bury my head in the sand until it all goes away.

But I don’t believe that Jesus wants us to have life to the full, without equipping us with the strength to handle it.

This post meant to give you encouragement for when you’re just done.

Because God is always working for our good. Because what happened in the past isn’t going to dictate the future. And because even times of trial are meant to shape us, and God is always with us through it all.

Here are 10 Bible verses for when you want to give up.

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“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

I love this. We can’t always see what God is doing, and sometimes it just all feels bad, or too much. We go based on our own strength or personal experience. But God is so much bigger than that! He is working something you can’t see, and guaranteed it is for your good (Romans 8:28).

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:4-6 NIV

One of my favorite scriptures, because we can take confidence in the fact that God hasn’t given up on us, that he has a great purpose for us, and that whatever is happening is guiding us toward that greater good. He is growing us to be the best we can be for him. 

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

Feel like you just want to fill up on all the wrong things for you and numb out the pain, because you’re hurting and you’re tired and it’s too much? Don’t give up on the good you know is best – the soul-fulfilling promises, the refreshing prayers, taking care of yourself physically. Do good – a harvest is coming.

“They were trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now, strengthen my hands.'” – Nehemiah 6:9 NIV

The world will try to convince us that doing good is the wrong thing. Keep asking God to strengthen you, to show you his love, to give you wisdom and perspective. He “gives generously to all without finding fault,” as it says in the book of James. 

“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.” – Joshua 1:9 NIV

I can imagine Joshua’s fear and discouragement in the face of the impossible. These are God’s first (recorded) words to him as the leader of the Israelites. Sometimes it feels like we are in an impossible place. He gives us confidence because he is with us, not because we need to figure it all out for ourselves, or do better. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 NIV

There’s a promise for you – you’ll have trouble here. Not exactly what I want to hear from Jesus. But then we get the rest of the promise – we can have peace, because he has already overcome the world. It’s already happened! We know the end of the story! The world doesn’t win!

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13, NIV

God supplies us with the strength we need to get through any situation. We can live in abundance, not fear the scarcity. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Rest and relief. Isn’t that what we crave when the going gets tough? God supplies that for us too. Once again, he’s got us. 

“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” – Exodus 15:13 NIV

Another promise from God – unfailing love. And he guides us to heaven. We don’t have to fear going through the journey on our own, or having to figure it all out. 

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” – 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

And any promises not covered previously? “Everything we need.” Covered. Done. We can continue when life gets difficult because he gives us what we need to do the right thing, all the promises, and that we can participate in the divine nature. We’ve escaped! We’re free from the world’s pull.

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I’m the kind of person who likes to fix things for other people. While I don’t know you or the situation you’re going through, the best I can do is offer you the gift of encouragement; and it’s not even mine, it’s God’s.

How about you?

What helps keep you inspired and motivated when you want to give up?

Scriptures are quoted from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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