How can I keep going when I feel like quitting?

Nehemiah 4:2-3“What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”

We can keep going when we feel like quitting by remembering our ultimate purpose. Faced with a seemingly overwhelming task and ridicule from adversaries, Nehemiah kept his eyes on his goal and his call. We can resist quitting when we keep ourselves focused on the One who has called us and on what he wants us to accomplish.

Acts 20:22-24“And now I [Paul] am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

We can keep going when we feel like quitting by relying on God for strength and guidance. Paul faced unimaginable hardships yet never gave up, finishing the work to which God had called him. If we believe the Holy Spirit has called us to do something, we should let his power and encouragement keep us from quitting when the going gets tough.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

We can keep going when we feel like quitting during times of persecution and suffering by remembering what Jesus did for us and by trusting in him.

Matthew 10:22“All nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.”

Galatians 6:9So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Philippians 3:13-14I [Paul] focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

2 Timothy 4:7I [Paul] have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

We can keep going when we feel like quitting by keeping our eyes on the goal of finishing well and the reward of eternal life. Even during times when suffering or difficulties seem never ending, having an eternal perspective can give us hope by reminding us that these times are only temporary and won’t last forever.

Acts 14:22They [Paul and Barnabas] encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

Revelation 2:3“You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.”

We can keep going when we feel like quitting by determining to obey God’s Word no matter what. Trusting God means that we confidently expect him to guide us through each day until we see him face to face in his heavenly Kingdom.

Ecclesiastes 10:4If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

We can keep going when we feel like quitting by understanding that quitting will only give us a reputation for being unreliable and less trustworthy. When we are faithful and honest in what we do and can be trusted with small things, we will have a better chance of getting larger responsibilities. Even in the face of criticism, we should continue to work hard and display a cheerful spirit. Others will notice and our reputation will be enhanced.

2 Corinthians 4:7-17We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. . . . We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. . . . That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

We can keep going when we feel like quitting by remembering that just because God is in something doesn’t mean it will be easy. In fact, the harder the road, the stronger we become. If we know God is leading us and opening doors in a certain direction, we sholdn’t give up just because the going gets tough. If anything, that should tell us that we are headed in the right direction and encourage us to keep moving forward boldly and with faith.