Giving Up Is Not an Option

When the guy I liked for a year hadn’t asked me out, I almost gave up believing Jeff could be my husband.

“I can’t do this anymore, God.” The tears fell as I prayed. “I don’t want to like him if he’s not the one.”

How do you wait and trust God’s timing when you’re sick of waiting?

God shows us how to wait and not give up through David’s story in the Bible.

God chose David to become the next King of Israel, but Bible scholars estimate nearly fifteen years went by before David took the throne.

Can you imagine how many times David questioned whether God had made a mistake? I wouldn’t have blamed David if he gave up, especially after hiding out in caves when King Saul wanted to kill him.

David cried out to God in the waiting and surrendered his heart in anguish. David remembered God’s promise—he was to become the next King of Israel—and he refused to give up until God fulfilled his promise.

Through David’s story, God not only teaches us the power of remembering his promises, but that waiting is part of the process.

God never tells us we won’t have to wait.

We live in a fast-paced, Amazon-prime-two-day-shipping world where we expect our hopes and dreams to be fulfilled overnight. But just because things happen instantly on Instagram doesn’t mean God works this way.

God can answer our prayers overnight, but he uses seasons of waiting to build our faith and to prepare us for what’s ahead.

King David wasn’t ready to become king when Samuel anointed him. Rather, David’s season of waiting prepared him to fulfill his calling.

A few months after I almost gave up on Jeff, he started pursuing me. We got married nine months after our first date.

When you’re tempted to give up on marriage, remember that waiting is part of God’s process.

Remember the promises God has spoken over your life, and believe God is using this waiting season for good.

Reflect

What promises has God spoken over your life as it relates to marriage?

How can you renew your faith when you’re tempted to give up?

Prayer

God, I trust you in this waiting season. Thank you for giving me strength when I’m tempted to give up. In Jesus’ name, amen.