"I give up" OR "I surrender"

Sometimes people quit, don't they?

They're fed up with a marriage, a job, a pet that ends up in an animal shelter, even a child and their relationship becomes strained.

Yes, we can be pushed to our limits and shout, "I give up!"

The results can be hurtful for all involved.

The Bible mentions people who gave up or will.

Here are a few --

So then many of His [Jesus] disciples, when they heard this, said, "This statement is very unpleasant; who can listen to it?" John 6:60

As a result of this many of His [Jesus] disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him. John 6:66

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:28-29

Holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I [Paul] have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:19-20

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

To give up is different from to surrender to Him Who first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Why can we surrender to the Lord those situations and relationships that cause us distress?

Jesus is touched with the feeling of our weaknesses. He was tempted in all points as we but without sinning. So, He can relieve us when we're tempted to give up. Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-15

How to surrender to Him?

Consider Him [Jesus] Who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:3-4

What can we do in the process of surrendering?

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:12-13

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15

Things CAN be tough here on earth.

Maybe we can also look higher.

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

Can we believe that God the Father wants to help us make it?

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need. Hebrews 4:16

Your thoughts?

R. Jason