How to keep from giving up and giving in when you face hard times

By Dean Collins

When hard times continue for very long, it’s easy to just give up and give in to your circumstances.

Very seldom will someone just give up at the first indication of struggle or pain. It’s when it persists for very long that discouragement creeps in. Before you realize it, the negative self-talk begins. Here are a few examples. They may not be exactly what your negative self talk sounds like, but maybe these will help you identify your own struggle. We must identify the problem before we correct it.

• “I can’t…”
• “I’m not … ( good enough, smart enough, disciplined enough, talented enough, wealthy enough, educated enough, good-enough looking, or you fill in the blank)
• “We will never be able to…”
• “It’s over…”
• “If God really loved me, then…”

Even those of us with faith can fall to the temptation of discouragement to the point of not just negative self-talk but actually giving up or giving in to the enemy. Even David who was described in Scripture as a man after God’s own heart sometimes spiraled into the abyss of negative mental talk. And in his case, he literally joined the enemy. And not just for a moment. David joined the enemy for a year and four months!

Chosen

David was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel. God had equipped David with musical talent, the ability to write poetry and song, and significant leadership capabilities. He also was a mighty warrior skilled with the sling and the sword. His victories were legendary. But he served under a tormented and jealous King Saul who was out to kill him. David was honorable and loyal to King Saul even after the weeks, months, and years of Saul’s relentless pursuit of him and desire to kill him. Twice David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but his faith in God and his loyalty to the king wouldn’t allow him to do it.

As David lived in caves and built an army of several hundred loyal followers, God provided time and time again for David and his family and his followers. We don’t know when the negative self-talk began but we know when it took David over the edge. It’s recorded in 1 Samuel 27:1.: “Then David said in his heart, ‘Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.’”

Discouraged

Sounds to me like a tired and discouraged leader. And this time David acted on the self-talk. He literally joined the Philistines and became a mercenary for Achish the king of Gath. And not just David. He took his family along with 600 loyal followers.

David’s discouragement fueled by his fatigue and negativity didn’t just impact him; it infected hundreds of others. Some scholars say during this season David wrote no psalms. David was in a dark hole spiritually and personally. But his choices did accomplish what he desired. Saul quit chasing him.

Chased

I don’t know what is chasing you today. But I do know that it doesn’t take long for the negative self-talk to start. And the best way to make sure you don’t give in is to speak God’s truth to your mind and heart. Here are a few passages that help me in my seasons of discouragement.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ).‭

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬).

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31).

If you are not sure how much you are being defeated by your negative self-talk, find a good friend and ask them. Often others see the discouragement before we recognize it in ourselves. Don’t beat yourself up when you discover you’ve allowed the negativity to infect you. Simply ask God and ask those around you to help you. God will never let you down.

David eventually came to his senses and was used in mighty ways again. We do not have to be defined by our weak moments. Don’t give in to the enemy. God is only one prayer away. He came to bring you abundant life. He has not stopped loving you and he won’t let you go

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭27:1-4, 7‬; Romans‬ ‭8:31-39‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Sam Moqadam on Unsplash

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