How To Not Give Up

At our church, we believe following Jesus is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. The Christian life is long, often uphill, and full of challenges that test our endurance. Life can feel agonizing, mentally, physically, and spiritually, especially when we experience loss, sickness, hardship, or disappointment. But even in those moments, God offers us clear and life-giving truth: we don’t have to quit. We don’t have to give up.

In Hebrews 12, we’re reminded that we are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses”—heroes of the faith who suffered and struggled but refused to give up. These men and women endured trials we can hardly imagine, yet they held fast to God’s promises. They’re cheering us on from the sidelines of eternity, urging us to keep going. Their lives testify that even when we don’t understand what God is doing, He is still worthy of our trust. Their legacy challenges us not to quit, even when we feel like we’re at the end of our strength.

Scripture gives us four powerful truths to help us persevere. First, we remember the faithful who’ve gone before us. Second, we strip off anything that slows us down—whether it’s sin or something that just weighs heavy on our hearts. That might include toxic relationships, habits, distractions, or debt. Not everything that slows us down is sinful, but anything that keeps us from running freely is worth surrendering to God. He wants us to run light and run strong.

The third truth is where we find our focus: we fix our eyes on Jesus. He’s not just the one who saves us; He’s the one who sustains us. He endured the cross for the joy set before Him—our redemption, our restoration, our place in God’s family. Jesus has already won the race, and now He invites us to keep running with Him. When we feel tired, confused, or overwhelmed, we look to Him. He is our strength, our steady place, and our motivation.

Fourth, we are called to trust God’s plan for our lives—even the painful parts. Hebrews 12 reminds us that discipline is a sign of God’s love. Like a coach strengthening an athlete, God uses every hardship, every challenge, and every trial to shape us into who He’s created us to be. He doesn’t waste our pain. He works through it to build our endurance, deepen our faith, and form Christ in us. His discipline isn’t punishment; it’s transformation.

We know this isn’t easy. There are seasons when the weight of life feels unbearable. Sometimes the temptation to quit feels louder than the call to press on. But God’s Word is clear—there is a harvest coming for those who don’t give up. Peace, righteousness, and spiritual maturity await on the other side of faithful endurance. That’s not just a promise for some future day—it’s the reality we begin to experience here and now when we trust Him in the middle of our trials.

As a church family, we want to walk this journey together. If you’re in a season of discouragement, you are not alone. If you’ve been tempted to quit, know that Jesus hasn’t given up on you. Let’s strip off what’s weighing us down, fix our eyes on the Savior, and keep running. One step at a time. One prayer at a time. One act of obedience at a time. Because finishing well is everything. And with Jesus, we will.

- Adapted from the sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 3/30/25.