How to Stay Faithful When You Feel Like Giving Up

Jan 19

Pastor Keith Jenkins

There are moments in the Christian life when faith feels less like a sprint and more like a long-distance race. Seasons shift, burdens accumulate, and distractions compete for our attention. Scripture reminds us that following Jesus was never meant to be easy—but it was always meant to be worth it. The call of faith is not just to start the race well, but to finish it faithfully. Click the link above for the full message.

The apostle Paul, nearing the end of his life, reflected on his journey with words that carry both resolve and hope. In 2 Timothy 4:6–8, he writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul was not focused on speed or applause. He was focused on faithfulness. That same invitation is extended to every follower of Jesus today.

The writer of Hebrews builds on this image with urgency and encouragement. Hebrews 12:1–3 calls us to run with intention, perseverance, and clarity—fixing our eyes on Jesus so we don’t grow weary or give up. Faith is a race marked by purpose, endurance, and direction.

RUN LIGHT: Strip Off What Slows You Down

Hebrews begins with a powerful instruction: “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” Not every weight is sinful, but every unnecessary weight will eventually slow your pace. Spiritual fatigue often comes not from doing too little, but from carrying too much.

Weights can look like unresolved guilt, unmanaged schedules, unhealed wounds, or habits that once helped but now hinder. Sin entangles because it distracts us from dependence on God and pulls our focus inward. Running light requires intentional honesty about what no longer belongs in your life.

This is not about perfection—it’s about alignment. When we release what weighs us down, we create space to move freely in obedience. A lighter runner lasts longer, moves with clarity, and stays focused on the finish.

RUN LONG: Endurance Over Time

Hebrews continues with a call that defines the Christian life: “Let us run with endurance thrace God has set before us.” Endurance means choosing faithfulness when quitting would feel easier. It is the quiet decision to keep going when progress feels slow or unseen.

To endure is to bear up under hardship without giving up. Scripture never promises an easy road, but it consistently promises God’s sustaining presence. Proverbs 24:16 reminds us, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Falling is not failure—staying down is.

Peter echoes this truth in 1 Peter 1:6–7, explaining that trials refine our faith the way fire refines gold. Hard seasons are not evidence of God’s absence; they are often the place where faith is strengthened most deeply. Endurance forms spiritual maturity, and maturity produces lasting fruit.

RUN LOOKING: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Direction matters as much as endurance. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to run by “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” To fix means to intentionally look away from distractions and focus steadily on one thing.

Jesus endured the cross not because it was easy, but because of the joy set before Him. His perseverance gives us both example and strength. When our eyes drift toward comparison, fear, or exhaustion, our pace falters. When our eyes remain on Jesus, perspective returns.

The psalmist understood this focus when he wrote in Psalm 27:4, “The one thing I ask of the Lord… is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” Focus simplifies faith. It re-centers our hearts on what truly matters.

Paul captured this same resolve in Philippians 3:13–14: “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.” Faith moves forward. It learns from the past but does not live there.

The Race God Set Before You

Notice that Hebrews does not say we all run the same race. It says we run the race God has set before us. Comparison steals joy and distorts calling. Your race has unique terrain, timing, and challenges—and God is fully aware of each one.

Faithfulness is not measured by speed or visibility, but by obedience. Some seasons require rest, others require perseverance, and all require trust. The goal is not to outpace others, but to remain faithful to Jesus in every step.

When we run light, run long, and run looking to Jesus, we position ourselves to finish well. The crown Paul spoke of in 2 Timothy is not reserved for pastors or leaders—it is promised “to all who have loved His appearing.” That includes you.