Finally, we can feel like giving up when we experience pressure and tough times. We know that life isn’t going to be easy, but sometimes we can be tempted to think that when we’re following God’s call, we’ll be immune to the trials. 1 Kings 19 tells the story of Elijah in a time of struggle. Elijah had just witnessed God sending fire from heaven, one of the literal ‘mountain-top experiences’ of his ministry. But when things got tough and someone was threatening to to kill him, He told God that He’d had enough. He’d just experienced God’s amazing power, but he was afraid and tired. ‘“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors”’ (1 Kings 19:4 NIV). He stopped trusting God. When we step out for God and work on the front line of the kingdom, the enemy wants to stop us. He throws difficult circumstances our way. He causes us to doubt and distrust God. He wants us to think that God’s calling is too much for us. But the Bible says: ‘Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance’ (James 1:2-3 NIV). Instead of giving up, we need to let the tests and trials create perseverance in us. We need to prepare ourselves for the battle. In Ephesians 6, it says: ‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.’ This passage then talks about the different pieces of armour we need to wear. We need to make sure we’re wearing this armour of God so that when the attacks and trials come, we’ll stand strong in God rather than giving up. 

What Now?

Spend some time reflecting on the ways you’ve seen God at work in your life. Write a few examples down and read them when you’re tempted to give up.