I’m scared of failing. More specifically, I’m scared of disappointing the people I care about, including my parents, nieces and nephews, friends, my small group, business partners, and you. I know we’ve never met, but as you read this post, know that I prayed for you. Fear has an uncanny ability to defy rationality.
It’s that voice that says you won’t be able to achieve it. You don’t think you’re good enough. Not powerful enough. Not good enough.
Fear is the voice that tells you that you’ve already failed too many times and that you should give up now before you fail again. If you feel exhausted, discouraged, saddened, or disillusioned and just want to give up, I encourage you to keep reading down.
The Bible has a lot to say about times like this when life doesn’t go as planned, and it exposes fear for what it truly is; a liar. I encourage you to keenly read and memorize these inspiring words in Scripture that encourage you to never give up. Friends, I know it is hard but then I want to encourage you. Don’t give up. Use these Bible verses about endurance and patience to encourage yourself when things seem to be getting too difficult.
1. Do Not Get Weary In Doing Good Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
When I feel like giving up, I turn to this scripture first. It serves as a reminder that excellent things require time and effort to achieve and they frequently necessitate a significant amount of effort. However, this does not imply that your efforts have been in vain. “The Hymn of Promise” describes how a tiny little seed can contain an entire apple tree.
However, you can’t simply crack the seed open and have the entire tree emerge. in that state, it remains unseen until its time, something only God can see. Time, patience, care, and protection are all required. Stay focused and dedicated. It’s going to be well worth the work when you reap the benefits!
2. Run With Perseverance Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
What is the largest hurdle standing in my way? This is one of the first things I often ask myself when I feel like I can’t do it any longer. Usually, that basic question yields an answer I can work with. Simply asking is a powerful thing. So, what is it that is causing you to want to give up? We serve a God who commends tenacity and endurance! Keep your eyes peeled for places where sin has crept in. When it comes to utilizing sin to discourage, disappoint, and destroy us, the enemy is a master.
3. You Can Do Difficult Things Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
You can do difficult things. This is something that as Christians, we must always remind ourselves about. The nicest part of all of this is that it has nothing to do with us. Overcoming difficult odds is all due to the presence of Christ in you. If you don’t think you’re good enough in the face of challenges, know that It’s fine. Also always remind yourself in those instances that God provides more than enough for you to overcome every mountain that is standing before you.
Also, if you don’t think you’re powerful enough; It’s fine; God will provide you with all the power you require. Do you ever feel like you’re running out of energy? God gives us new doses of strength on a daily basis. I want you to know that God’s tremendous provision is able to cover all of the areas in your life where you feel like you are not enough.
4. Perseverance produces character Romans 5:3-4
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4 NIV
We can get so focused on the final result like developing a healthy and productive daily routine that we lose sight of the reason for the process. You always have a choice when faced with unpleasant situations in life. You can, of course, choose to give up or on the other hand, you can either choose to grow or not.
The truth is that your character changes when you choose to keep going through difficult times. You grow stronger, more resolute, more confident, and, in the end, more hopeful. Endurance not only alters the ultimate outcome of what you’re aiming for but also it changes who you are in the finest possible ways.
5. You’re Not Doing This Alone Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
When we’re stuck, one of the lies we typically think is that we’re alone. We often think that nobody else comprehends how difficult what we are experiencing is. Sometimes we even convince ourselves to think that nobody else has ever experienced something like this. Another lie we commonly tell ourselves is that nobody else understands what I’m going through.
God has promised that He will never abandon or abandon you. He hasn’t abandoned you just because you’re going through a difficult period. That is a belief that is not true. I want you to know that God is always with you! He will never leave no matter what you are going through. He loves you so much to do that. so I want to encourage you to remain steadfast and keep looking up to him.
6. Shift To An Eternal Perspective 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
All of the external things we strive for like our weight loss goals, higher-paying jobs, a larger home, beautiful family etc. are just temporary. The things we see are only a small part of God’s overall picture. To have an overview of what the overall picture is, we must start by figuring out who we are; our identity in Christ and all that He made us for.
Do you think you’re becoming more patient, Loving, Joyful, Peaceful, productive and more confident in your identity in Christ? If that’s the case, I want you to know that you’re on the right course. Those are Spirit-given characteristics that demonstrate our progress toward Christlikeness.
On the other hand, if you find yourself caring more about the fleeting and carnal things like how Instagram-worthy our house is, how we look, how “put-together” we appear than the eternal thing that we have in Christ, it’s time to adjust your viewpoint. Fix your gaze on Jesus and line your objectives with His.
7. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, it’s possible Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Discouragement is a powerful force. If your adversary can persuade you that something is impossible, he has won. It will persuade you to give up. Maybe you’ve been trying to lose weight for a long time but haven’t been able to get the scale to move. Maybe you’ve been praying for your marriage for a long time and have yet to see God at work. Perhaps you’ve tried and failed so many times that you can’t bring yourself to get up and try again. It’s feasible, whatever it is. Our God is a miracle-working God. Not just miracles from the past, but miracles that are happening right now, all around us. Ask, look for, and knock. Lean into His power. If you’ve already tried 100 times, go for number 101. The only way to fail is to give up completely.
8. Keep Going To Be Transformed James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV
Perseverance, as I already stated, affects your character. It’s not only about crossing the finish line that matters; it’s also about who you are when you do. Make the decision to take another step. Make the decision to keep going. With each step, you’re becoming more mature. You develop in faith every time you choose to continue forward, even when circumstances are unpleasant. You’ve got this.
9. Put Your Whole Heart Into It Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
This verse serves as a lovely reminder of why we are striving to achieve our objectives. If you solely labor to gain other people’s attention, admiration, and approval, you will always be disappointed. Working for the Lord gives every task in your life a higher meaning, whether you’re exercising, washing dishes, or returning to school to finish your degree. Putting your heart and soul into your work makes it more personal and gratifying! It’s no longer about crossing things off your to-do list. It’s all about getting closer to God as you serve Him in all you do.
10. Endurance Leads To Hope Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 NIV
You can read story after story in the Bible about individuals who confronted incredibly tough situations and chose to keep pushing forward with faith, even though they didn’t know what would happen. Job did everything correctly, but he still had to deal with heartbreakingly painful events while praising God. Job’s faith was amply repaid by God. Paul was often imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and more, yet he decided to glorify God and continue his ministry. Of course, Jesus is the ultimate example of perseverance. Despite the fact that he did nothing wrong, he endured difficulty, sorrow, and hardship…all for us. There are a slew of others, including David, Jacob, Abraham, Joseph, Jeremiah, Ruth, and a slew of others. When you’re ready to give up, remember the Bible’s stories of people who persevered in faith, clinging to hope every step of the way.
11. We have to stay Hopeful (Romans 8:25)
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8:25 NIV
“Be patient” is probably the last thing you want to hear right now if you’ve been working hard and are ready to give up. The initial section of the passage, however, should not be overlooked. “However, if we hope…” What are your expectations? If you’re feeling down, chances are you’re starting to lose hope. What do you do when you’re feeling hopeless? You keep going with tenacity. You keep going. And it’s that perseverance that restores the hope you’ve lost. It’s a divinely gorgeous formula.
12. Lean Into The Lord’s Glorious Might Colossians 1:9-11
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…
Colossians 1:9-11 NIV
You make the decision to keep moving forward, as I just indicated, but do you have the power to do so? All of this is due to the Lord. You can endure and be patient because of His strength. It is He who will see you through.
13. Hope Inspires Endurance 1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV
Have you picked up on the theme yet? Almost invariably, endurance is accompanied by hope. Jesus inspires you when you have faith and put your faith into action. That’s the allure of focusing your gaze on him. There is still some effort required, but the payoff is well worth it!
14. For The Crown Of Life James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
Perseverance is the source of all your achievements in life. It’s likely that learning to walk, read, graduate from college, parent, manage your finances, lose weight, and run a 5k wasn’t easy. Perseverance is a disciplined skill, yet “fortunate is the one who perseveres in the face of adversity.”
15. The Lord is your refuge Psalm 37:24
Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:24
It’s fine to make mistakes along the road. Endurance isn’t about knowing that every step you take is the right one right now. This verse reminds me of Martin Luther King Jr.’s comment. “If you can’t fly, run, if you can’t run, walk, if you can’t walk, crawl,” says the author, “but whatever you do, keep moving forward.” Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist who was assassinated. Don’t stress about getting everything right the first time; just keep pushing forward.
You are in God’s hands.
