If you are looking for Bible verses when you feel like giving up, here are several to comfort and encourage you!
If anyone needs this article and these related Bible verses, it is ME! I have used some of these verses in my own personal life, in the midst of my personal struggles and frustrations. And I thank God for His Word! So many times, I don’t have anyone to talk to, to confide to, to guide, but I have God. I am so thankful for His Presence in my life. I can humbly confess, I NEED Him!
Download a printer-friendly PDF of this article here.
Life is composed of difficult times interspersed with moments of pure joy. But during the difficult situations, the best place to go to find comfort and encouragement is the Word of God, the Bible. I don’t have to tell you there are trials of many kinds, but in all of them, a powerful way to help you face them and be strong is to find some favorite Scriptures or a powerful Bible verse (or more) to help you in the face of adversity. Hearing God’s Word will build your faith through these trials.
Here are some Bible verses from the holy Bible to help you do just that since, according to Romans 10:17, “… faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (KJV)
Bible Verses When You Feel Like Giving Up — The Example of the Lord Jesus
Life is hard. Jesus, the very Son of God — God in the flesh Himself — endured thirty-plus years of life as a human. He understood difficult situations because He lived them. During His life on Earth, He endured more than we can comprehend. But in doing so, He set an example for us. He understands our afflictions. Thank God that Jesus did not give up, but finished His course, which cumulated with an agonizing death on the cross.
Many years before the death of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah prophesied of the Savior’s determination to endure the hard times that He knew He had to face. These are powerful Bible verses that described Christ’s determination:
Isaiah 50:7 – Determine To Finish And Avoid Shame
“For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” (KJV)
Jesus was determined that He would not fail, even in the face of adversity. If He would have given up on His mission, He would have to face His Father with shame. This is an encouragement for us to try as hard, and with His help, so we can also cross our own “finish line” well.
When we are faced with difficult situations, it is good to remember that Jesus Christ knows all about what we are enduring; He understands the feeling of our infirmities.
Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus Understands Our Struggles and Grief
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (KJV)
During our tough times we can, and should, look to Jesus as our perfect example.
Hebrews 12:2 – Look Toward Future Joy
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (KJV)
There are rewards for enduring trials. Great joy, the eternal weight of glory, something that we cannot comprehend, which Christ knew waited for Him, helped Him to accomplish His difficult tasks. We don’t understand the great things that will compose our rewards, but by faith we believe that we will not want to forfeit any of them. Remembering the promise of eternal rewards helps us to persevere through our momentary troubles.
So many times, I had to remind myself this world is not the end. I look forward to eternity and try to live this life in preparation for future joys. This helps when I had to sacrifice pleasures in this world for future rewards.
Bible Verses When You Feel Like Giving Up — From The Apostle Paul
The great Apostle Paul suffered much for the cause of Christ. Because he did so, he was able to encourage millions of others in their trials. He knew that, despite the trials of life, and even though God allowed hard things to happen to His people, such as distress, persecution, famine, peril, death, and other difficult, and often horrible, situations, God still loved them, and nothing could separate God’s people from God’s unfailing love.
Romans 8:35-38 – Nothing Can Separate Us From Christ’s Love
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (KJV)
Paul knew about God’s love and part of His love is that God is the source of “all comfort.”
2 Corinthians 1:3 – God Is A God of Comfort
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (KJV)
This fact is reassuring. God may use others to give us comfort, but He is still the source of our comfort, no matter who or what He uses to comfort us.
2 Corinthians 9:8 – God’s Grace Is For His Work
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (KJV)
God wants to help us through our difficult times. When we want to give up, we need more of His grace so that we can accomplish the work that He has blessed us with. It is wonderful to know that God’s grace is unlimited!
Philippians 1:6 – God Isn’t Finished With You Yet
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (KJV)
God created us for a good work. Therefore, He will continue to work in us to make us better until we are finally with Jesus Christ forever and ever. But until that time, we must allow God to work His will and His way with us.
Colossians 1:10 – Live To Be Worthy Of the Lord
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (KJV)
God wants us to please Him and to do the right thing while we increase in our knowledge about Him. Trying to please God, even during difficult times, is part of God’s plan for us.
1 Timothy 6:12 – Life Is A Fight, Not A Party
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (KJV)
The Christian life is not supposed to be easy. Paul, when he wrote to Timothy, compared the difficulties of the Christian life as a “fight.” Fighting has the connotation of struggle. Nevertheless, Paul encouraged Timothy, and us today, to fight well.
2 Timothy 4:7 – Finish The Fight!
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (KJV)
Before the Apostle Paul died, he wrote the above words to Timothy. Paul knew that he had been victorious over his many struggles, and that he would meet Jesus Christ and not be ashamed. Using himself as an example, he wanted to encourage Timothy, and us, too, to follow Him as he followed Christ.
Hebrews 12:1 – You Are Being Watched! Fight Well
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (KJV)
This verse, which many Bible scholars believe was also written by the Apostle Paul, alludes to a great cloud of witnesses. It may be that we are being watched in our daily life, including during our many difficulties, by all of the Christian believers who are already in heaven. If this is true, we do have an unseen audience. May this fact encourage you.
Paul also compared the Christian life to that of a race, and he encouraged us to cross the finish line in triumph. It may not be until after we die that we will see all those who have been watching us as we deal with adversity. But thinking about all of those unseen people who crossed their finish line to glory, can give us an extra measure of strength to finish well.
Bible Verses When You Feel Like Giving Up — General Encouragement
Living a Godly Christian life is not without difficulty. If the Son of God and the Apostle Paul, both who served God faithfully, had trials, then we can expect them as well. Here are some verses to encourage you in your trials.
Psalm 3:3 – God Is Our Shield (And I Need One!)
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” (KJV)
God is our protector. He gives us our glory and delivers us. We may not know until eternity how much protection God gave us in this life. Thank God that He is our Protection!
Psalm 23:4 – No Fear In The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (KJV)
The threat of death is perhaps the darkest valley. But this verse promises that God’s people will walk (dead people can’t walk) through it, unto the other side — away from the shadow and into the light that cast the shadow. This verse also tells us that God is with us because the psalmist tells us about His rod and His staff. I love this promise.
Psalm 46:1 – God Is Near!
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (KJV)
God, and God alone, is our help. He gives us the strength we need mentally, physically, and emotionally in our times of trouble. We just need to turn to Him and ask.
Matthew 6:26 – God Provides
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (KJV)
Just as God takes care of the seemingly insignificant animal life, He will take care of His people, especially of His children.
Luke 12:28 – More Of God’s Provision
“If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (KJV)
God takes care of the plant life. He makes the flowers beautiful, even those that are not seen or appreciated; He cares for them. God will also take care of His people.
James 1:12 – Heavenly Rewards For Enduring Temptation
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (KJV)
Enduring the trials and temptations of this life will result in heavenly awards. In this particular instance, the crown of life.
Bible Verses When You Feel Like Giving Up — Remove Sin In Your Life
Sometimes our difficulties are the consequence of sin in our life. In any trial, it is good to carefully examine our life according to God’s Word to see if we have failed God. If we have blatant, unconfessed, and unrepentant sin, God may chastise us. It is up to us to get right with God.
Psalm 66:18 – Get Right With God
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (KJV)
The word “iniquity” is another word for sin. All of us are sinners. But if we indulge in going against what God says to do, or not to do, in His word, and we refuse to obey Him because we want to enjoy our sin, then our fellowship and communication with God has been broken. It is a terrible thing to be facing hard times but cannot communicate with the God of all comfort to receive His comfort because we have chosen to willfully disobey Him.
Psalm 94:12 – God Corrects In Love
“Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law.” (KJV)
If our trials are because of sin, and God has sent them to correct us in an effort to bring us back to Him, then our trials are because of His love for us. We need to repent of our sin, seek to obey Him, and do what He has commanded in His Word.
Jeremiah 5:25 – Repent Of Sin
“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” (KJV)
This is another verse that tells us that we can miss out on God’s blessings because of our sin. Some of those blessings may very well be less trials or trials that are not as hard to deal with.
Ephesians 4:30 – Don’t Grieve God’s Spirit
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (KJV)
Every Christian has God’s Holy Spirit in them. This is another warning against blatant sin. When we sin, especially willfully, we grieve God, and He will deal with us accordingly.
Even think about how God feels when you sin? His Holy Spirit is in us and can’t get out. Be respectful of Him and don’t grieve Him.
Bible Verses When You Feel Like Giving Up — Need Direction
Many times during trial and difficult times, you may not know what to do. Here are some Bible verses to help you have God’s direction and to understand God’s plans for you personally.
Psalm 25:9 – Meekness Gets Guidence
“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” (KJV)
The definition of the word “meek” is humbly patient. Trials have a way of humbling us, even while we patiently endure them. When we have a meek attitude, and trust that God knows what is best, He has promised to guide and teach us.
Psalm 31:3 – Ask For God’s Direction
“For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” (KJV)
When we acknowledge God as our helper, we can also trust Him to direct us. Even when we think we know the right direction to take, it is always good to ask God for His leading and be willing to accept His answer.
Psalm 32:8 – God Is Willing To Guide
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (KJV)
This is a promise of God that He will instruct, teach, and guide us. This is a wonderful promise.
Proverbs 3:5 – Trust God For Direction
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (KJV)
Trust God to give you understanding when you don’t know what to do.
James 1:5 – Ask God For Wisdom
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (KJV)
When you need wisdom in the face of adversity, quickly and confidently turn to God and ask for His wisdom on your particular circumstance.
Bible Verses when You Feel Like Giving UP – Give it TIME!
Psalm 16:11 – A Heavenly Promise
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (KJV)
This verse is in the future tense. At the righteous right hand of God He has pleasures waiting. This promise may be only fulfilled in heaven, but it will be fulfilled as we strive to walk in the path of uprightness. I love this verse. Reminding myself of future joy and pleasures helps me in my earthly trials. I know this verse is true because God cannot lie. I am looking forward to enjoying these promised pleasures.
Psalm 27:14 – Wait On The Lord
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (KJV)
We are impatient people. It is easy for us to want to give up, especially during difficult situations. But this verse tells us to wait on the Lord. For those who wait trusting in Him, He promises to strengthen their heart.
Galatians 6:9 – Don’t Faint – Harvest Is Coming
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (KJV)
This verse promises a harvest of reaping, but has the warning that if we give up, if we faint, we may not get our desired result. The hint of suffering loss should encourage us to keep doing what is right.
Colossians 4:17 – Eternal Rewards For Light Affliction
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (KJV)
This verse compares our trials in this life to the span of eternity. When viewed in this light, our trials are only momentary troubles, which, if we are faithful in doing right by God during this time, will get us eternal rewards.
James 1:2-3 – Trials Produce Patience
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (KJV)
James tells us to consider it joy when trials come upon us, because this is how God teaches us impatience people the wonderful trait of patience.
1 Peter 1:7 – Trials Are More Precious Than Gold
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (KJV)
The testing of your faith according to what God said through Peter, is actually more precious than gold. When we trust God through our trials, we will one day be praised by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 5:6 – Be Humble
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (KJV)
Now is the time to be humble, knowing that, despite our difficult situation, God is in control. However, God also promises to later exalt those who willingly humble themselves in this present time.
Bible Verses When You Feel Like Giving Up — Glorify God In Victory
When God has successfully brought us through a time of hard testing and trial, it is then time to give Him the praise, honor, and thanks.
1 Chronicles 16:34 – Thank God For Being Good
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” (KJV)
Praise God because He is good! He is merciful! I know that after God has brough me through a trial, I am so thankful as I look back and see His wonderful answers to my prayers.
Psalm 18:1 – God Is Your Strength
“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.” (KJV)
David wrote this psalm of praise and thanksgiving after God delivered him. We may not necessarily write a psalm, but at the very least we can pray a prayer of thanks to God when He has delivered us from our trials. The LORD was David’s strength and He can be ours as well.
Psalm 105:1 – Tell About God’s Wonderful Deeds
“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.” (KJV)
It is a good thing to tell others about how God answered your prayers. Praise God when you tell others about how He has helped you.
Luke 8:39 – Boast About God’s Goodness To Others
“Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” (KJV)
Jesus told this man whom He had healed to tell what God did for him, especially to his family members. Your testimony of what God did for you is both powerful and unique.
Luke 17:18 – Give God The Glory!
“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” (KJV)
In the context of this verse, Jesus healed ten men, but only a single one returned to thank Him. If we are grateful for God’s answer to our prayers, remember to thank Him personally. Make it a habit to thank God daily. There is always something to thank God for in our lives.
Hebrews 13:15 – The Sacrifice Of Praise
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (KJV)
God loves to hear His children sincerely thanking Him in all things. Give God the sacrifice of praise every day.
Pin Me For Later!
May this collection of favorite Bible verses when you feel like giving up encourage both in Christ’s steadfast love and help you to to keep doing what is right, in spite of the circumstances, knowing that you will eventually be rewarded if you finish your course well.
Personally I know during some of my hardest trials, my consolation was God’s Word. Sometimes, I would just find a verse which spoke to me and repeat it over and over in my mind. Somedays I had to utilize my prayer closet more than others meeting several times there with God throughtout the day.. But God has always been so good to me even in the most trying of times. I am so thankful for His Presence. May you have the same peace.