Don’t Quit: How to Stay Faithful in the Christian Life
Feeling weary in your faith? Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God is not finished—and calls us to keep going in gospel faithfulness, even in hard seasons.
A Thank-You Letter with a Purpose
Philippians is, in many ways, Paul’s thank-you letter. His gratitude reveals what he valued.
Paul thanks God for the Philippians because they partnered with him in the gospel. They were generous and faithful. They didn’t treat Paul like a Christian celebrity to admire from a distance; they treated him like family to support. What makes their generosity even more striking is they were a poor church yet they gave beyond what anyone could have expected.
Generosity Flows from the Gospel
Doesn’t that sound like the gospel? The gospel produces open hands because it first produces an open heart. When I think about Philippi’s generosity, I still see Lydia’s fingerprints. A woman, whose heart the Lord opened, immediately opened her home (Acts 16:14-15). She insisted Paul and his companions stay. She made space and provision, and in doing so, she helped create a church culture in which hospitality and generosity were normal.
Faithfulness Over Feelings
Let’s be honest: the Christian life is not a fun little hobby. It’s a calling, and a partnership in that calling means you don’t drift or disappear when life gets busy, and you don’t treat commitment like a convenience.
That’s why I challenged women when I taught Bible study, and I still would today, to think carefully about why you show up. It’s easy to drop out. It’s easy to let other things crowd out the Word, prayer, and Christian community. But other women are watching you, and some are depending on you more than you realize. Faithfulness encourages faithfulness.
Here comes that promise again, reminding us:
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”
Philippians 1:6
Paul is saying, in effect, “Keep going. God is not finished. Don’t quit.”
Some of you are tired, and you are weary from caregiving, grief, financial stress, marriage tension, or spiritual dryness. You may be tempted to pull back. “I just don’t feel like it…I don’t have the energy… I’m just done…” I understand such temptation, and there are times to step back, regroup, and rest deeply, but we have to be wise and remember that feelings alone are not reliable guides. Ask the Lord for guidance, consult friends who do life with you, and listen to your body. Sometimes, stepping back, no matter how tired you are, does not seem possible. Paul and the Philippians would understand such a difficult place.
The Philippians lived in a hard place. Being Christian in a Roman colony wasn’t comfortable, yet they persevered. They kept on keeping on: partnering, reflecting their love for Jesus in the way they cared for one another, giving not only of their physical resources but also of themselves.
That’s what the Lord calls us to do, too. Not because we are strong in ourselves, but because God is faithful. Partnership in the gospel is one of the ways He keeps us steady.
So yes, Philippians is a thank-you letter. But it’s also a call to keep going. Keep growing, showing up, opening your hands, loving the church, and living for something bigger than yourself. Trust that God will give you what you need to share Jesus in what seem like the mundane moments of life, yet are really the moments that build into an eternal impact.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Make one “partnership” choice this week:
• Protect a commitment to worship or Bible study.
• Send an encouraging note to a ministry leader.
• Give generously (even if it feels small).
• Serve quietly where there’s a need.
Then thank God for His ongoing work in you: “Lord, finish what You started.”
PRAYER
Father, thank You for the Philippians and for their generous partnership in the gospel. Forgive me when I become casual about commitment or self-focused in my faith. Give me a steadfast spirit. Teach me to show up, to serve, to give, and to persevere in hard places. And thank You for Your promise: You will complete the good work You began in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
