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] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Our Separation from God
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 gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Bridge: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
1 Peter 3:18
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you declare with your mouth, '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 accept Christ into your life:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
- Be willing to turn from your sins. (Repent)
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. (Be saved by faith)
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Did you pray this prayer?
