Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

Have you ever just wanted to give up? To walk away from the struggle, the disappointment, or the weariness of trying to do what’s right in a world that doesn’t seem to care? Maybe you’ve followed Jesus faithfully, prayed, served, and tried to live for Him, but life hasn’t exactly gone the way you expected.

If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.

We often think that once we start following Jesus, everything will get easier—that the pain, temptation, and struggle will fade away. Many times, that’s how the message is presented: “Just say a prayer, raise your hand, and your life will change forever.”

And in one sense, that’s absolutely true. When you sincerely pray that prayer of faith, something supernatural happens. You are saved. You are forgiven. You are made new in Christ. That one moment of faith has the power to change your eternity.

But what we don’t always realize is that salvation isn’t just about what we’re saved from—it’s also about what we’re saved for.

We’re Saved on Purpose for a Purpose

Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 (ESV):

“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God didn’t just save us to keep us out of hell. He saved us to bring us into relationship with Him and to shape us into the image of His Son. You were created with purpose. You are not an accident. The same God who designed the stars in the sky designed you—and He’s not done with you yet.

When Paul wrote these words, the church in Thessalonica was under pressure. These believers had come out of idol worship. They had turned their backs on the gods of their culture and declared Jesus as Lord. That decision changed everything.

But they still lived in the same homes, worked the same jobs, and saw the same people they had before. Their families didn’t all understand. Their employers didn’t necessarily respect their faith. They were surrounded by people who believed differently, lived differently, and valued things that opposed their new life in Christ.

Sound familiar?

It’s easy to read about ancient churches and think their struggles were far away and long ago. But the truth is, the church in Thessalonica faced the same tension we do today—the pressure to fit in. To conform. To compromise.

The Pressure to Conform

The world around us still tells us what’s “normal.”

It tells us that living together before marriage just makes sense. That fudging a few numbers at work to get ahead isn’t a big deal. That gossip is just how we “stay informed.” That God’s definition of marriage is outdated, and “love is love” means we can redefine what He created.

The pull to conform is subtle but powerful. And before we know it, our hearts start to drift.

We accept Christ, but sometimes we still want to live life on our own terms. We know what the Bible says, but we find ways to justify our behavior because, well, “times have changed.”

But here’s the truth: the gospel isn’t meant to be a one-time acknowledgment.

The gospel is meant to transform our lives—daily. It’s not just about believing Jesus saved you once; it’s about letting Him continue to change you now.

Paul tells us to “stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). In other words, don’t let go of what you know to be true. The world changes, trends shift, and culture evolves—but God’s Word remains constant.

Standing Firm in a Shifting World

Standing firm doesn’t mean standing still. It means being rooted so deeply in Christ that when the storms come—and they will come—you don’t get swept away.

When you build a relationship with Jesus, it’s not a passive experience. Like any relationship, it requires participation. You didn’t get to know your best friend or spouse by sitting back and waiting for them to do all the work. You got involved. You talked, listened, spent time together, learned their heart.

The same is true with Christ.

Our relationship with Him grows as we engage through prayer, worship, Scripture, and community. These things aren’t just “religious duties”—they’re how we stay connected to the source of strength we need to endure.

When life gets hard—and it will—we need that connection. Because sometimes the temptation to give up doesn’t come from rebellion; it comes from exhaustion.

We get tired of fighting. Tired of waiting. Tired of hoping.

But God hasn’t abandoned you in the struggle. He hasn’t forgotten His promise.

He Chose You

Paul reminded the Thessalonians that they were chosen and beloved by the Lord. That same truth applies to you.

Before you ever took your first breath, God knew you. He saw every mistake you’d make, every tear you’d cry, every doubt you’d face—and He still chose you.

He called you through the gospel not just to rescue you but to reveal His glory through you. You’re not just surviving; you’re part of God’s story of redemption.

Even when you don’t feel it, God is working. He’s sanctifying you—shaping your heart, strengthening your faith, refining your character.

The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. That’s not just a comforting verse; that’s power.

So when the enemy whispers, “You’ll never make it,” you can respond with confidence:

“I already have victory in Christ.”

The Hope That Keeps Us Going

Paul ends this section with encouragement that we desperately need in moments of weariness:

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

That’s not just a prayer—it’s a promise.

God Himself gives us comfort and hope. Not temporary relief, but eternal comfort. That means that even when life is hard, even when we don’t see the outcome yet, we can hold on because He’s holding us.

Hope is not a feeling. It’s a foundation. It’s the anchor that keeps us steady when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.

When You Want to Give Up

Maybe today you’re asking, “What’s the point?” You’ve prayed, believed, and waited, but the situation hasn’t changed. The miracle hasn’t come. The healing hasn’t happened. The door hasn’t opened.

Can I encourage you? Don’t give up.

God’s silence is not His absence. His delay is not His denial. He is still at work, even when you can’t see it.

When you want to give up:

• Pray anyway. Your honesty before God is never wasted.
• Worship anyway. Praise shifts your focus from your problems to your Provider.
• Read His Word anyway. Truth strengthens your spirit.
• Stay connected anyway. God uses community to remind us that we’re not alone.

It’s in the anyway moments—when we choose faith despite feelings—that God often does His deepest work.

A Work in Progress

When you follow Jesus, your life becomes a work in progress. That means you won’t always get it right. You’ll stumble, struggle, and fall short. But God’s grace meets you there.

You’re not defined by your worst day—you’re defined by His finished work on the cross.

And that’s what gives you the courage to get up again. To keep trusting. To keep believing.

Paul knew what it meant to suffer, to be beaten, imprisoned, and misunderstood. Yet he never stopped giving thanks because he knew that even in hardship, God was at work.

We may not see the full picture now, but one day, we will. Every tear, every trial, every act of faith—it all matters.

A Challenge for Today

So, what does this mean for you today?

Where do you need to stand firm?

Where do you need to hold fast to what God has spoken, even when it feels like nothing’s happening?

Maybe it’s in your marriage, where you’re believing God to restore what’s been broken.

Maybe it’s in your ministry, where you’ve poured out so much and seen little fruit.

Maybe it’s in your heart, where you’re fighting to believe God’s promises when everything around you says otherwise.

Whatever it is—stand firm.

You are not forgotten. You are not alone. You are loved by the Lord, chosen by God, and strengthened by His Spirit.

Let His hope fill you today. Let His comfort establish your heart. And let His Word remind you that this story isn’t over yet.

Closing Thought

You were created for this moment. God’s fingerprints are all over your life. You are His workmanship—His masterpiece.

When you want to give up, remember: the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you.

Keep standing. Keep holding on.

Because He who called you is faithful—and He will do it.

Reflection Questions:

1. Where in your life do you feel tempted to give up?
2. What promise from God do you need to hold onto right now?
3. How can you stay connected to Jesus this week through prayer, worship, Scripture, and community?

Live bold. Live set apart. Live for Christ.