What should a Christian do when they feel like giving up? What does God think of me when I feel like there is no hope? What should I pray I feel like overwhelmed and stressed? Keep reading to find out what has helped me combat the feelings of wanting to throw in the towel and give up.

girl walking down cobblestone street - what to do when you feel like giving up

Christianity might not be a life that’s perfect and never has problems, but that doesn’t mean we can’t live a life filled with hope, joy and peace.

Don’t get me wrong, it takes work. But, friend, it is possible!

The next time you feel like giving up I encourage you to be intentional about choosing hope, joy and peace by trying one of these tips that have helped me on this up and down journey of life.

Feel Like Giving Up? Try This!

1. Remember how far you’ve come.

When I feel like giving up, remembering how far I’ve come always encourages me to keep going.

For instance, think about paying off debt. You start with a little bit of extra cash and begin throwing it towards your debt. At times during this process you may feel like you’re never going to get out of debt and wonder why you should even try. But as you keep going, little by little that insurmountable pile of debt begins to disappear.

Losing weight or trying to live a healthier lifestyle is also something we’ve all tried and oftentimes feel like giving up. If you’re like me, you have a weak moment, slip up and eat an entire bag of chips or cookies. You feel terrible afterwards and just want to throw in the towel and eat everything in site. But just because you had one weak moment doesn’t mean that you should give up entirely!

 

When you feel like giving up I want you to remember where you started and how far you’ve come. In the debt scenario, have you paid off $5 or $1,000 of debt? In the weight loss scenario, have you lost 5 pounds or 5 inches?

No matter what your circumstance, take some time and reflect on how far you’ve come. Remind yourself to continue walking on the path that you’re on. This time of reflection will make a huge difference mentally and might very well pull you out of the funk that you’re in!

three woman sitting on rock

2. Share your feelings.

I’ll be the first to admit that it’s much easier to squelch feelings and hold them in, but I promise this is a very unhealthy practice.

Find someone healthy and safe to share your feelings with.

There have been many times when I’ve called one of my sisters and shared how I was feeling. She might not have a solution for my problem, but she’s always there to listen.

The simple act of her being willing to listen and allow me to “get it out” makes me feel so much better.

Sharing and getting your feelings out is not only healthy, but it’s also freeing.

But don’t stop there, friend, share your feelings with the Lord.

I know what you’re thinking. He already knows my thoughts, why should I share with Him?

Just like a parent wants their child to share a story or how their day went, the Lord wants you to share with Him.

There will be times when you don’t feel like sharing, but I want to encourage you to push through those feelings and share anyways.

You might also find yourself angry with the Lord about the situation you’re in. Tell Him how you’re feeling. I promise He can handle it!

Keep in mind that it’s okay to be angry. The Bible clearly says, “in your ager do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26) Just like it’s okay for an angry child to go to his parents and respectfully share what they’re feeling, the same is true of your relationship with the Lord.

The key is to have a respectful attitude.

Sharing honestly helps us move towards an abundant relationship with Him.

3. Do something for someone else.

It’s amazing how simple acts of kindness make a big difference in someone’s life.

  • Make some goodies for your neighbor. (I do this often and they’re always so appreciative.)
  • Go through the drive-thru and pay for the person behind you.
  • Smile at someone.
  • When you’re at the register checking out, ask the cashier how their day is going.

You just might be amazed at the difference you can make in someone else’s life, and in doing so it’ll make you feel better too!

woman sitting in drivers seat

4. Get out of your normal.

If I’m having a down in the dumps day and feel like giving up, I know it’s time to change things up.

When my son was a toddler, there were plenty of times when we would get in the car and drive to the playground or our local Discovery Center.  

It’s amazing how different I feel just getting out of the same crazy environment that I’ve been in.

Getting out of your normal will look different for each and every situation.

If you’re at work and working on a project and feel like throwing in the towel, maybe you just need to go outside. Take your 15 minute break, go for a walk, get some fresh air and rejuvenate your mind.

Wherever you find yourself, figure out what your normal is and do something different!

5. Know that you don’t always have to be the strong one.

If you’ve always been the strong one, I’ll venture to say that there are times when you feel like giving up and don’t want to be strong anymore.

You want someone listen to your problems and have a shoulder to cry on.

My friend, please know that there’s nothing wrong with feeling this way. You don’t always need to be the strong one. It’s perfectly okay to have weak moments! In fact, these weak moments are healthy for you because they help you rely on others.

Why do we feel like we have to give off this persona that life is perfect when we’re desperately falling apart inside? We might be smiling on the inside but our heart is breaking in two.

It’s okay to have weak moments, days, or even months.

When these moments come, remember that you don’t always have to be the strong one. Surround yourself with family and friends that will lift you up, strengthen you and breathe fresh life into your weary soul.

6. Throw a pity-party for yourself.

I know, I know! This seems counterproductive but I’ll be the first to admit that this really helps me when I feel like giving up.

Yes, I’ve thrown myself a pity-party quite a few times, and I always feel so much better.

Here’s the secret to pity parties…don’t stay there!

If you stay in your pity party it will get ugly. Take a few minutes or even an hour to yourself and get it out of your system, then move on.

As long as you don’t stay there, you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel. Try it!

pink tulips

7. Learn to look for the beauty around you.

It’s always easier to focus on the negative when you feel like giving up. But if you look closely you’ll see beauty all around you. It’s not always easy to find but it is out there!

Beauty of nature

Truly, how often do you intentionally look for the beauty of nature? Get out and find a new walking trail, take your kids to the park to explore or just get outside in your yard.

When my son was a toddler, we started going to a duck pond after church. He’s older now and we still continue this tradition of feeding the ducks, enjoying the beauty of the pond and plants, and just being still for a little while.

Mix up your routine, friend! Go for a drive, take a second look at the beautiful sky at sunset, and look for the beauty of nature.

Beauty of family

My dad passed away years ago and there are times when I’d love to sit and chat with him or ask his opinion on life matters, but I can’t. Many times it takes a tragic accident or losing a family member before we realize how important our family really is. Don’t let this happen to you – be intentional now to look for the beauty of your family.

My heart aches when I’m sitting at a restaurant and see families on their devices and not interacting with each other. I often look at Trent and say, “They’re having a great conversation aren’t they?” Be present with the person sitting across from you!

Moms of littles, I know there are times when your child wants to have a conversation with you and you’re tired and drained. Can I encourage you to be intentional about listening now? If you listen now they’ll likely want to chat with you about important life situations when they get older.

Look up from your screen! Turn off the TV! Be intentional with your family…love on them…talk to them!

Beauty of all that you have

It’s not until you visit another country that you realize just how truly blessed you are. I remember being on a missions trip and washing my hands in a nearby barrel to get ready for lunch. Minutes later one of the local children came along and drank from that same barrel that we had just washed our hands in. I was heartbroken, and it opened my eyes to how much I truly take for granted.

There was a season in my early twenties when I worked three jobs to make ends meet. Friday nights was grass mowing night. One particular Friday night I came home exhausted from a long work week and didn’t want to mow the grass. I started to complain, but then the Holy Spirit reminded me to be thankful that I had grass to take care of. I’ll never forget that night and how my attitude about mowing my grass forever changed.

Instead of being ungrateful or even jealous of what you don’t have, be thankful for what you do have!

Eeyore says it best, “It never hurts to look for the sunshine.” He’s so right. What could it hurt to look for the beauty around you! Get out of your own head. Take off the blinders and when you feel like giving up, look for the beauty in life.

8. Remind yourself what God says when you feel like giving up.

The best advice I can give you is the point you back to the Bible when you feel stressed, hopeless or overwhelmed.

Let’s take a look at what the Bible say to do when you feel like giving up!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

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

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2

Need more encouraging verses? Check out these Bible verses about hope (plus, get a free hope Bible reading plan)!

9. Pray this prayer when you feel like giving up!

The key to praying is just starting a conversation with the Lord like you would any other friend.

Using the Bible verses above, your prayer could be as simple as this when you fee like giving up:

Father God, thank you that you are here with me and you always want to listen to what I have to say. Thank you that you’re never going to leave me or forsake me. Lord, I feel like giving up because ___________________ (fill in the blank). Will you fill me with joy and peace and help me to trust in you so that I can overflow with hope. Please give me the strength to run this race ahead of me. Help me to fix my eyes on you knowing that when I feel like giving up I can look to you knowing that you’ll be with me every step of the way. Thank you for what you’re going to do in and through may life. In Jesus name, amen.

Do you struggle with prayer? Go here for more encouragement in your prayer life.

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