When You Feel Like Giving Up: What God Wants You to Remember When You Feel Like Giving Up
Life is rough — honestly, that feels like the understatement of the decade. With everything happening in the world, rising living costs, the lingering mental impact of the pandemic (I personally needed healing from the lockdowns — that was rough), and watching our rights and freedoms shift in ways we never expected… it’s no wonder so many of us feel like giving up.
Seeing the news especially show us nothing but calamity can really discourage us from having hope.
How are we supposed to live boldly in times like these?
How are we supposed to carry out what God has called us to do when the world feels like it’s collapsing?
How are we supposed to care about living when everything around us seems designed to crush our hope?
But my friend, we need to wake up and realise that we have a Father who has our back and would never leave us nor forsake us.
That’s why I wanted to write this — not to pretend everything is fine, but to remind us of what Scripture says about how God sees us. Because when life feels unbearable, we need to remind ourselves of what the Word says. We need a reminder of what our Father in Heaven says.
1. God Knew You Before You Knew Yourself
You are not an accident. You are not random. You were intentionally formed by a God who knew your personality, your calling, your weaknesses, and your strength before you ever took a breath.
So if you weren’t a mistake, God obviously placed you here on earth “for such a time as this.” — Esther 4:14
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
Jeremiah 1:5
2. God Has Plans for You — Even When You Can’t See Them
Your story is not over. Even when everything feels uncertain, God’s plans for you have not been cancelled. He has not changed His mind about your future.
Think about it — why would God put you in a time where everything feels scary, just to suffer? That makes no sense. I have written before about people like the Apostle Paul, Judge and Prophetess Deborah, Nehemiah, Joshua. People who were called by God to carry out important assignments in times where they could lose their lives.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope…”
Jeremiah 29:11
3. God Loves You More Than You Realize
We have a Father in Heaven who couldn’t bear eternity without us. He loved us so deeply that He gave His most precious Son. I’m not a parent, but I can’t imagine giving up someone I love that much. That’s the kind of love God has for you.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son…”
John 3:16
4. The Enemy Wants You to Give Up — But He Loses
When the devil tries to convince you that there is no hope, remember this: his time is limited, and his end is already written.
“Then the devil… was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur… They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 20:10
The enemy has probably tried to feed your mind with lies like “you don’t matter here, you’re just taking up space,” or “your life is inconvenient, why not just… quit… for good.” He has probably tried to put thoughts of isolation and despair in your mind when you are going through loss or life hasn’t worked out the way you thought it would.
But you need to realise that the enemy’s voice is loud because he’s desperate. He knows his fate. He knows he loses. Don’t let someone who is destined for destruction convince you that your life isn’t worth living.
5. A Gentle Reminder for Your Heart
I’ve written about Elijah and his struggles before in my blog post When You Feel Alone in the Wilderness, but I am going to talk about him again here. After the events that happened on Mount Carmel, Jezebel made a threat against Elijah’s life that terrified him so much that he ran to the wilderness and asked God to take his life.
Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die.
“I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
1 Kings 19:4
But here’s the part we often overlook: God didn’t answer Elijah’s prayer the way Elijah expected. He didn’t take his life. Instead, God sent an angel to feed him, strengthen him, and let him rest — twice. In the middle of the wilderness, when Elijah had nothing left to give, God provided exactly what he needed to keep going.
And after that, God spoke to him. Not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire — but in a gentle whisper. Then God led Elijah out of that place, re‑commissioned him, and brought Elisha into his life as a companion and successor. The very man who wanted to die ended up finishing his assignment, mentoring the next prophet, and being taken to Heaven in a whirlwind.
Everything Elijah thought was the end… wasn’t the end at all.
“But those who wait on 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.”
Isaiah 40:31
So please, don’t give up. You’re not standing in this moment alone, even if it feels like it. The same God who met Elijah under the broom tree, who strengthened David in the caves, and who carried Paul through pressure beyond his own strength — that God is with you right now.
You were created on purpose, placed in this generation intentionally, and loved more deeply than you realise. Your life has value. Your story still has chapters God intends to write. And even when you feel tired, discouraged, or unsure of what comes next, His faithfulness will carry you further than your strength ever could.
Hold on to Him. He’s holding on to you.
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