Why Do We Give Up So Easily?

Unfortunately, too many people don't finish the race of life well. They get discouraged, distracted, or hurt along the way. We tend to start many things but finish few of them, leaving behind a trail of unfinished projects, unfulfilled commitments, and unkept promises.

The Bible compares our life to a race in Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up, and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

So how do we keep going when everything in us wants to give up?

How to Develop Persistence in Your Faith Journey

1. Remove Distractions

The first step to developing persistence is removing anything that gets in the way of running your race. God created you for a unique race, and only you can run it. The problem is that often other people want you to run their race instead.

Parents, peers, coworkers, and even well-meaning friends can place expectations on you that become distractions. You can't live anyone else's life—you can only live the life God meant for you to live.

What could distract you from your life mission? Here are some common distractions:

• Trying to be like other people
• Making wealth your primary goal
• Harmful habits
• The wrong kind of friends
• Media consumption

But the biggest distraction of all is your past. Many people are loaded down with guilt over things they've done wrong or resentment over things others have done to them. When we walk around with guilt and resentment, it's like carrying two bags of garbage on our shoulders as we try to run the race.

Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14: "I 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. Anticipate the Reward

The second key to persistence is keeping your eyes on the prize. If you're going to finish well in life, you must remind yourself why you do what you do. Otherwise, you'll end up thinking, "Why even make an effort?"

The "why" behind what you do determines how long you'll last in what you do. If your "why" is immediate gratification, you'll last about five minutes. If it's short-term or even long-term satisfaction, you may last longer, but still not to the finish line.

The only "why" that will make you last a lifetime is God Himself. He is the prize, both in this life and the next.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:25-26: "All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step."

God doesn't reward us based on a scale system where good deeds must outweigh bad ones. Instead, He rewards us based on grace. Grace means all the wrong things we've done are erased when we put our faith in Jesus, and every good thing we do by faith is rewarded.

3. Resist Discouragement

The third key to persistence is resisting discouragement. Think about learning to ride a bike—how many times did you fall off? Yet you kept going despite the bumps, bruises, and even bruised egos.

Interestingly, when riding a bike, momentum actually helps you stay upright. New riders often stop pedaling when things get wobbly, but the opposite is true—pedaling through the wobbliness helps you continue forward.

Discouragement is often a choice. Nobody's holding a gun to your head forcing you to be discouraged. Discouragement is always a choice, just like our attitudes. If we're feeling down or like quitting, it's because we're choosing to think discouraging thoughts.

Discouragement is one of our enemy's favorite tools. Satan loves to discourage us. D.L. Moody once said, "I've never known God to use a discouraged person." Why? Because discouragement is really the opposite of faith.

Galatians 6:9 tells us: "Let us 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."

It's easier to do bad than good. It's easier to be undisciplined than disciplined. It's easier to lie than tell the truth. It's easier to be selfish than unselfish. That's why doing good takes energy and effort.

When you try something new, it's difficult. Why do we convince ourselves that when trying something new for God, it should come easy? When we try something new, of course it's going to be wobbly and shaky. It's unfamiliar. Give yourself grace rather than giving up.

4. Experience Renewal Daily

The final key to persistence is experiencing renewal both physically and spiritually. We must learn the art of "mid-flight refueling" so we can keep going.

Physically, Psalm 127:2 says: "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones."

Vince Lombardi famously said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." When we're tired, we get discouraged. Some of us simply need a more sane schedule so we can get more rest.

Spiritually, 2 Corinthians 4:16 says: "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed day by day."

How does this happen? We get renewed by spending time with God. The secret of persistence is focusing on Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 says: "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus."

When we plug into His power, we find the power of persistence. We need more than our own power to make it in life—we need the power of Jesus Christ.

Life Application

It's time for a self-evaluation. Where do you need to be more persistent?

1. In your daily time with God?
2. In praying for family, marriage, or your small group?
3. In sharing your faith?
4. In tithing and generosity?
5. In exercise and diet?
6. In controlling anger, words, or thought life?
7. In trusting God with your pain and problems?

Remember, it doesn't matter how you've messed up in the past. What matters is how you finish. At the end of your life, will you be able to say like Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful"?

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What have you felt like giving up on? A dream, goal, marriage, or even your faith?
2. What do you need to finish? A commitment, promise, project, or vow?
3. What's holding you back? A relationship, fear, worry, job, or wrong values?

This week, identify one area where you need more persistence. Take a small step forward in that area, even if it feels wobbly. Remember that God doesn't expect perfection—He expects progress. And when you feel discouraged, focus on God's goodness in your past, His presence in your present, and His promises for your future.

Pastor Tim