What to Do When You Want to Give Up
Maybe you’ve heard about the semicolon tattoos people are getting. Whether they’re doing it for themselves or as a reminder to others, the point is to bring hope to those wrestling with depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
Why rally around a punctuation mark? In writing, a semicolon is a decision the author makes to continue on, to hold off ending the sentence. Think of it as a symbol of perseverance—a choice to keep going. A reminder that tells them what to do when they want to give up.
Thousands of people are on the brink of giving up on life every day. They feel like they don’t have a reason to keep going. Are you one of them?
It would be so easy to quit, wouldn’t it? To no longer face the struggles of this world?
Here’s the problem: giving up puts the period on the sentence of your life. And just like that, it’s over. No re-do, no second chances, nothing to hope for.
What if there’s more to your life? What if you could overcome your struggles, addictions or anxiety, and place a semicolon instead of a period after today’s obstacles?
God wants to be part of your life story. Just like a father, He wants to love and protect you—give you strength to stand strong and press on.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us,” the Bible says. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
Don’t let your struggles overtake you. You aren’t meant to face these things alone, and who better to see you through it all than the God who made you and knows you from the inside out? He created you for a reason and has a plan for your life. He’s a light in times of darkness.
Jesus Christ said it this way: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
God isn’t finished with you yet. He wants you to keep going when you want to quit. Write the next part of your life with Him.
Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Sin Separates Us
The Bible says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Remedy: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."
Revelation 3:20
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9
Here is how you can receive Christ:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, amen."
Did you pray to receive Jesus Christ and begin a relationship with him?
