Shooting the Breeze
I have been tempted to give up many times in my life.
When I was a teenager I wanted to give up on everything in life because of intense internal turmoil.
When I was in college I wanted to give up on school when I couldn’t finish my courses on time.
When I started my first job as a part-time youth pastor I wanted to give up because it was brutally tough at times working two jobs.
When I went on my medical leave in 2007 I wanted to give up because I couldn’t see how I could function in my role as a pastor any more.
I wish I could say that I persevered in all of these circumstances but I can’t. I did choose to give up in some of these circumstances.
I can say though that the times that I did persevere it was mostly because I had people who came alongside me and encouraged me to keep moving forward.
These people encouraged me to not give up.
These people helped me lift the “weight” that I was carrying.
These people listened to my pain.
These people believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
These people loved me.
It is so much easier to keep moving forward in life when we have people supporting us in these ways. We need these types of people in our lives but we can’t just stop there!
We also need to be reminded that God is the only one who can perfectly fulfill all of these needs in our lives. Unfortunately, people will sometimes fail us and let us down in our time of need but God never will!
When we are feeling alone, hurt and beaten up and everything in us wants to give up, we need to remember God is always there to support and encourage us (even though we may not feel His presence in the moment).
He has given us His Holy Spirit to comfort us and encourage us in our time of need.
He is always there to help us carry the “weight” that we are carrying.
He is available 24/7 to listen to our pain and hurts.
He, more than anyone else, believes in us and loves us unconditionally.
We are His precious creation and He wants what is best for us.
Don’t give up (you are loved!)
What has helped you keep moving forward when you have felt like giving up?
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Kevin, I know there have been times when I’ve just about given up…I was ready to throw in the towel. Somehow, mainly through the grace of God, I’ve always been able to hang in there and get past obstacles that were blocking me. Great thoughts!
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Thanks for sharing Eldon!
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Praise God and God bless us all. Good morning and you gave me a bright start. God will never give up on us so we don’t really have to surrender. We should wait for the right timing. Thanks again for the wisdom.
Jeff
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Thanks for sharing Jeffrey!
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Well written Kevin. Needed that comfort today, it’s been less than a week my 35 year old cousin gave up and God is our strength right now!
May God continue to be your strength and comfort Karen!
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When you feel you can’t continue or you think that all left you, God will be there showing you the path.
When I was reading the title of the article this song came in my head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-G8IfjPAII
Amen Carla!
Thanks for sharing!
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Hello Kevin,
I ran across your website as I was looking for some Bible commentary. I’ve read a few of your blogs, which have been great, but I especially wanted to comment on this one. Your question was “What has helped you keep moving forward when you have felt like giving up?” I have suffered with depression for a good two years now. But I was not ‘diagnosed’ until earlier this year. I realized I would be VERY sad at times. It was really because I didn’t think I was strong enough to handle people. I wanted to run and hide from people. It got so bad that I wondered if my son, who has lot of my personality/character traits, would be able to make it. My thoughts were extreme and it scared me to the point that I thought about killing myself. That’s when I knew it was time for me to do something. Before I took a leave from work, I spoke with my mom, who has always been there for me, even when she didn’t know what to do. She would listen. That was enough for me. One of my friends from college would have me in her home and would stay awake with me when I could not sleep. My uncle woke up in the middle of the night when I just could not take it anymore. I would go on an on but I’m at work and I don’t feel like crying in front of my co-workers (laughs). The point is, a lot of people are in my corner. Even my son, who only 10 right now, has loved me through my ups and downs. And it’s good to know when people love you during your downs. God has surrounded me with some beautiful people. But I can say that God is my source. If I didn’t have God first, I would know what to do with the love that is around me.
Thanks for sharing your story and your heart Stefanie!
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Hi Kevin,
Boy, has your blog changed and looks so great from where you began! Good job! Your post made me smile today… what lifts me up is realizing everyone has felt like giving up at one time, I am not alone, and they somehow move on. These people inspire me to do the same – and my belief that love conquers all. For me God, a higher power is in each and everyone of us – we are indeed loved.. thank you Kevin
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Thanks Lesly!
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I know how you feel because I felt the same way before. But you know something, we didn’t realized that there are someone who will never leave nor forsake us. The world might abandon us, our friends and loved ones, but up there, there is God. God is the only one who can fulfill our hearts with love. A lot of people don’t realized about that. They only think of those people who they see physically. We’re all lucky to have God in our life..
We definitely are blessed to have God in our lives Tony!
Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Kevin,
Thank you ! Excellent post for sharing your many instances when you wanted to give up.
I am in love with people who has the power to keep going and I also agree that one way or another, we need people in our lives to love and be loved, to support and to encourage.
I am loving most of your posts, Kevin ! Keep coming with such inspiring and loving post
Cheers
Pearly
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Thanks for your wonderful words of encouragement Pearly!
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Like you, I thought of giving up lots of times even until now. Maybe what keeps me in moving on are the people around me who still trust me no matter what. Plus the fact that I still believe in myself… no matter how difficult things are going, I know that it can make me a better person. So rather than treating problems as burden in our lives, we rather think of it as challenges that can make us a better person.
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It is definitely critical to have supportive and encouraging people in our lives.
Thanks for sharing Mark!
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Yup! Their love and support are our source of strength. In this way, we could be more motivated.
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