What do to when you want to give up on your dream

There was a season when quitting felt holy. I had lost everything the world said made me valuable: my surgical career, my reputation, my income, my identity as “the successful doctor.”

The enemy whispered every single day, “Just stop. You’ve already failed too much. Who do you think you are to dream again?”

But Holy Spirit kept whispering something louder:“Keep going. The dream I gave you is still alive. And I am not disappointed in your pace — I am delighted in your refusal to quit.” That whisper turned into a roar the day Romans 5:3-5 wrecked me in the best way:

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Rejoice in sufferings? Paul, have you met my life? Yet the more I leaned into that scripture, the more I saw the secret: Thankfulness is the rocket fuel of perseverance. When I choose to thank God in the middle of my mess, I declare with my whole heart: “I believe the best about who You are. I believe the best about who I am in You. I believe the best about every promise You have spoken over my life.” 

And that posture of violent thanksgiving literally produces hope that cannot be ashamed of.

Striving vs. Persevering — There Is a Massive Difference

Striving says: “I must perform perfectly to be approved.”

Persevering says: “I am already approved — therefore I will not stop becoming everything He says I am.”

Striving exhausts you. Persevering renews you.

Striving looks at the closed door and collapses. Persevering looks at the closed door and starts praising because the Red Sea is parting and God is about to get more glory!

Striving needs perfection. Persevering celebrates progress.

I used to think forward movement had to be big to count. Now I know that some of the greatest miracles in my life happen when I simply refuse to go backward. Getting up one more time when shame says stay down.Sending one more email or making another call for my startup when no one is acting interested. Praying one more prayer over my prodigal children. Choosing to believe one more time that God is good when my bank account screams the opposite — that is worship!

Every forward step, no matter how small, causes the Red Sea to tremble. You and me, we celebrate progress, not perfection. Perfectionism is just pride wearing a spiritual mask. Progress is faith wearing walking shoes. Heaven does not throw a party when you finally “arrive.” Heaven throws a party every single time you keep going.

I have learned to celebrate the tiniest victories like they are Super Bowls:

• The day I didn’t look at porn.

• The week we paid the bills even when it looked impossible.

• The prayer meeting where only three people showed up — but Jesus was the fourth.

• The blog post I was terrified to publish that ministered to one heart.

Every one of those moments was a stake in the ground that said, “I am not my past. I am not my delay. I am a beloved son/daughter becoming everything God dreamed before the foundation of the world.” And you know what happened? Those “small” steps of perseverance became the runway that launched Arise & Shine International and Bezalel Innovations.

The ministry, the book, the speaking invitations, the healed marriage, the family restoration, etc. — none of it happened because I was perfect. It all happened because Melinda and I kept thanking God while it still hurt. We kept believing the best about Him when the circumstances looked bad. We kept moving forward when quitting would have been easier.

A Prayer for You Right Now

If you are tired, discouraged, or tempted to quit today — this is for you.

Father,

I thank You that whoever is reading this is not behind, not disqualified, not too late. I thank You that every place the enemy meant for shame is becoming a testimony of Your stubborn, relentless love. Pour out fresh hope into their heart right now. Let them feel Your delight over their perseverance. Turn their mourning into dancing, their ashes into beauty, their delay into divine timing. Let them hear the roar of heaven cheering them on: “KEEP GOING — WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!” In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

You are not failing.You are becoming.Your dreams are not dead. God is building character that can carry the weight of His promises over your life. Lift your head, open your mouth and start thanking Him for what is not yet seen. Take one more step today. Because the moment you do, all of heaven leans in and says, “Watch this one — they’re about to make the devil regret ever messing with them.” You’ve got this. Actually, no —He’s got you and He will never let go! Keep going.

Melinda and I are cheering for you. The finish line is closer than you think — and even if it’s not, the joy of running with Jesus is worth every step.

With fire in my bones and tears in my eyes,

Pieter Lagaay

Arise & Shine International