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Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately?
When grief and depression seem overwhelming, the founder of Teen Challenge and World Challenge recommends a powerful healing process that restores faith and gives lasting peace from God.
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1980
131 people are currently reading
813 people want to read
About the author
David Wilkerson
256 books256 followersDavid Ray Wilkerson was an American Christian evangelist, best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade. He was the founder of the addiction recovery program Teen Challenge, and founding pastor of the non-denominational Times Square Church in New York.
Wilkerson's widely distributed sermons, such as "A Call to Anguish", are known for being direct and frank against apostasy and serious about making the commitment to obey Jesus' teachings. He emphasized such Christian beliefs as God's holiness and righteousness, God's love toward humans and especially Christian views of Jesus. Wilkerson tried to avoid categorizing Christians into distinct groups according to the denomination to which they belong.
Wilkerson was killed in a car crash in Texas on April 27, 2011.
Wilkerson's widely distributed sermons, such as "A Call to Anguish", are known for being direct and frank against apostasy and serious about making the commitment to obey Jesus' teachings. He emphasized such Christian beliefs as God's holiness and righteousness, God's love toward humans and especially Christian views of Jesus. Wilkerson tried to avoid categorizing Christians into distinct groups according to the denomination to which they belong.
Wilkerson was killed in a car crash in Texas on April 27, 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 20, 2017
I picked this book up off a $1 discount table after too many rough days to count. Reading it happened in spurts, and every time I found myself challenged and encouraged by Wilkerson's focus on God's truth coupled with practical insights borne out of years of real life ministry. As a preacher to inner city gang members, this author of The Cross and the Switchblade is no stranger to trials and discouragement. His insights provided hope not only for me, but also gave me fresh words of encouragement that I could pass on to others going through difficult times. There are many little nuggets of wisdom well worth jotting down and keeping around as visible reminders of God's unfailing promises.
December 7, 2025
This biook impacted me hugely as a teenager. I was struggling and found friendships challenging. This book challenges me to rely on God alone, and watch him lead my life.
December 31, 2022
I didn't agree with a lot of his views on God and faith, however there was still a lot of good thoughts and encouragment.
May 16, 2020
Thankful for a Christian book as real as this one!
“No longer, then, do we look at our burdens and troubles as accidents or penalties, but as crosses that are offered to teach us submission to God’s way of doing things. If you are hurting right now, you are in the process of healing.”
“Rejoice that you are going to become weak in order to experience His overpowering strength in you.”
“When your relationship with the Lord is wrong, it affects all human relationships.”
“Some of the greatest men and women of the Bible had times of failure and defeat.”
“God specializes in hopeless cases. God takes over when we give up trying to work it all out ourselves.”
“Man must become powerless, defenseless, and hopeless in himself. He must come with fear and trembling to the cross and cry out, “Be Thou Lord of my life.”
“As Jesus did, we learn obedience by the things we suffer.”
“Paul wanted more than healing, more than success, more than deliverance from prickly thorns: he wanted Christ!”
“Faith is a gift, not a diploma. Faith should not be a burden or a puzzle. The more childlike it is, the better it works. You need no seminar or textbook; you need no guide. The Holy Spirit will lead you closer to Jesus—who is the Word—by whom cometh faith.”
“No longer, then, do we look at our burdens and troubles as accidents or penalties, but as crosses that are offered to teach us submission to God’s way of doing things. If you are hurting right now, you are in the process of healing.”
“Rejoice that you are going to become weak in order to experience His overpowering strength in you.”
“When your relationship with the Lord is wrong, it affects all human relationships.”
“Some of the greatest men and women of the Bible had times of failure and defeat.”
“God specializes in hopeless cases. God takes over when we give up trying to work it all out ourselves.”
“Man must become powerless, defenseless, and hopeless in himself. He must come with fear and trembling to the cross and cry out, “Be Thou Lord of my life.”
“As Jesus did, we learn obedience by the things we suffer.”
“Paul wanted more than healing, more than success, more than deliverance from prickly thorns: he wanted Christ!”
“Faith is a gift, not a diploma. Faith should not be a burden or a puzzle. The more childlike it is, the better it works. You need no seminar or textbook; you need no guide. The Holy Spirit will lead you closer to Jesus—who is the Word—by whom cometh faith.”
December 22, 2017
Just what my soul needed. A beautiful reminder of Christ's love and faithfulness.
April 18, 2025
let's just say that I don't agree with a lot of things the author wrote in the book. Also I think about 60% of the book is about divorce (which he also says that he still thinks of it as a sin)
December 30, 2012
(The author's name is misspelled.) The late David Wilkerson wrote this book to encourage the weary and discouraged Christian. He clearly understands what it is to suffer, question, and doubt in spite of his true faith. As always, Wilkerson takes a no-compromise approach to sin in the Christian's life, but he points to the Scriptural assurance we have of God's unshakable love for his children--especially his hurting children. It's comforting truth to hang onto when you come to the end of yourself. I had never considered before that even Christ could not carry his cross...that the cross you take up is *designed* to bring you to the dust, to the end of self-sufficiency, to total trust in God. Wilkerson avoids formulaic "how-to's," understanding each believer's need to appropriate faith for himself when walking through discouragement. I also thought the author's ideas on marriage were insightful.
January 17, 2025
I struggled with this book. As someone who is currently struggling and trying to heal, this book gave me even more questions and was a little outdated. I found it gave conflicting suggestions and, even though I identify as a Catholic, found the writing to be cult like. At times, I also felt like I was being sold something instead of giving me something to grasp on to. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is truly struggling as it gives advice that could be incredibly harmful. Overall, I did NOT enjoy this book, and even though there were a few great sentences, the writer focused on his own version of religion instead of a helpful interpretation. Disappointed.
July 24, 2014
This book was an awesome read and I highly recommend it for anyone who is struggling with guilt or condemnation in their life. I work at the Teen Challenge ministry (David Wilkerson founded) and he has always been an inspirational speaker with the gift of preaching, and if you have ever heard him, he's not shy on condemning sin and raising the standard for Christian living. In this book he gives great insight on how we are caught between God's mercy (his love for us) and God's judgment (his hatred for our sin). Fantastic book, very encouraging!
November 12, 2013
Great book. Really opened my mind. I was doing some of the things but, the book actually opened me up to "Letting go and let GOD"
February 28, 2017
This book helped me through my worst depression. It reminds the reader of valuable truths that are so easy to lose sight of.
March 12, 2025
Very practical and helpful. Below are some of my personal takeaways from the book:
In one way or another, everyone is hurting in some way.
Time heals nothing, only God can truly heal.
God never promised you a painless life, He promised you a way of escape and strength to continue.
You cannot depend on others for your happiness.
God is the only source of true satisfaction and happiness; not your spouse, best friend, pastor, psychiatrist, or anyone else.
When your relationship with Chris is not right, every other area is affected.
A sparrow never falls without God knowing, and He also knows when His children fall and still loves them.
The devil wants to destroy your faith.
God doesn’t hide when we sin. Just as He came to Adam and Eve in the garden when they sinned, so He is still available and present with us.
Our guilt and shame tells us that God doesn’t want to hear from us, but that’s a lie. Go with bended knee and heart and speak to Him.
Going to the Father in prayer is the solution to every dry spell.
Sin causes Christians to live in discouragement and defeat.
Fear is the power the devil has over man, but God can break that power and give victory.
Satan has no right or claim on a Christian.
As a child of God, one of the most important steps is what you do after you fall.
Satan has one big goal with believers, and that is to turn them into unbelievers. To make them doubt and quit believing what God can do.
The three steps to atheism is guilt, doubt, and unbelief.
A great lessons a Christian should learn from their inner, fleshly struggles, is to stop throwing stones at others.
You can’t save yourself, help yourself, or please God yourself, you need His help. Let God be in charge of your growth and holiness, for He wants to help you.
The way to holiness is through humility. All our pride must be smashed.
In one way or another, everyone is hurting in some way.
Time heals nothing, only God can truly heal.
God never promised you a painless life, He promised you a way of escape and strength to continue.
You cannot depend on others for your happiness.
God is the only source of true satisfaction and happiness; not your spouse, best friend, pastor, psychiatrist, or anyone else.
When your relationship with Chris is not right, every other area is affected.
A sparrow never falls without God knowing, and He also knows when His children fall and still loves them.
The devil wants to destroy your faith.
God doesn’t hide when we sin. Just as He came to Adam and Eve in the garden when they sinned, so He is still available and present with us.
Our guilt and shame tells us that God doesn’t want to hear from us, but that’s a lie. Go with bended knee and heart and speak to Him.
Going to the Father in prayer is the solution to every dry spell.
Sin causes Christians to live in discouragement and defeat.
Fear is the power the devil has over man, but God can break that power and give victory.
Satan has no right or claim on a Christian.
As a child of God, one of the most important steps is what you do after you fall.
Satan has one big goal with believers, and that is to turn them into unbelievers. To make them doubt and quit believing what God can do.
The three steps to atheism is guilt, doubt, and unbelief.
A great lessons a Christian should learn from their inner, fleshly struggles, is to stop throwing stones at others.
You can’t save yourself, help yourself, or please God yourself, you need His help. Let God be in charge of your growth and holiness, for He wants to help you.
The way to holiness is through humility. All our pride must be smashed.
July 12, 2022
David Wilkerson will always be remembered for the “Cross and the Switchblade”. When I looked over the list of the more than 30 books written since then none of them made such a big impression, unless it was “Knowing God by name” This title originally came out in 1980 but has stood the test of time also and should definitely be considered for your shelves. He is now in his 90’s and was the long-time pastor of Times Square Church.
Healing is a process, and the 15 rather short chapters would be perfect for you to use in a Bible Study group or have on your shelves whenever you are beaten down. Plenty of Bible verses, examples of all ages and types of discouragements, quoting a lot of the AA information also. It is as timely today as it was many years ago, and you may find yourself remembering other milestone times when you needed hope and healing when you feel discouraged.
I have been in the same small group for 30 + years but I think it is time for us to revisit our hard times and wait for God’s answers to out prayer, lay down some of our guilts and trust God to bring us through the hard times.
My favorite chapter was on Temptation. The power of the Devil is so strong, we have to ask for his help time and time again. It is not a sign of weakness but a sign that he trusts us.
It would make an excellent gift, it is small but packed full of wise wisdom.
December 17, 2017
This was the first Christian book I’ve ever read. While there were certain viewpoints contained within the book that don’t necessarily match my own, I truly enjoy reading this and grab it off the shelf from time to time when I am feeling down. It’s a short, easy read and inspired me to continue reading Christian texts. I definitely plan to keep this in my library and look forward to reading more of David’s texts.
August 19, 2019
I found this small book in a heap of books and somehow I choose to read it because the title was alluring.And honestly,the author doesn't disappoint. The book is filled with some wonderful truths and reminders which I believe everyone needs a revision from time to time. Personally,it has helped me to get back on track with God when I was struggling.
September 17, 2022
I'm afraid my review is lower because of the audio version I listened to. I felt as though the narrator's voice was whiny and tone condescending at times. As for the content, I disagreed with some of Wilkerson's assessment of Scripture, but I did gain some encouragement and necessary conviction from this book. It's worth a read, but I did not find it riveting or necessarily life-changing.
August 12, 2024
When I saw the name of the title, I immediately felt myself drawn into it. The question so prominent and immediately I began reading. I felt so many relations with my own life that I can't even begin to explain. And at the end, it gave me a sense of hope that I can't even begin to explain. A hope that everything will be okay, everything will find it's place.
August 19, 2024
Beam of light in my dark life
Easy short book, yet address much problem that baffles a Christian on a daily basis: marriage, suffering, death. “Why God why? Why I have to suffer so much if you claim you love me? “ I hope you all find answers in this book like me. God bless :)
Easy short book, yet address much problem that baffles a Christian on a daily basis: marriage, suffering, death. “Why God why? Why I have to suffer so much if you claim you love me? “ I hope you all find answers in this book like me. God bless :)
November 2, 2024
This a book for people that are on their way towards following the Lord seriously. He writes about the real issues that Christens face Daily as they live truly for the Lord.It is really Biblical based and also practical that helps Christians really face their challenges in their daily life.
April 16, 2025
I cannot recommend this book enough. A small and quick read, but its impact on me was profound. I have since given copies of this book to friends and family, all of whom have provided glowing reviews.
October 22, 2017
This book has some good thoughts in it but for me it felt a little judgmental.
July 26, 2019
Excellent! I could easily read this again and again.
August 19, 2019
Really enjoyed this one. Reminded me a bit.
September 28, 2019
Good
Loved this thought provoking book. I highly respect David Wilkerson and I learned a lot from this book. Highly recommend
Loved this thought provoking book. I highly respect David Wilkerson and I learned a lot from this book. Highly recommend
April 12, 2020
Good read!
This was a good read, very inspiring. Very uplifting if you are feeling down and in need of spiritual food.
This was a good read, very inspiring. Very uplifting if you are feeling down and in need of spiritual food.
September 7, 2020
This is a good reference book. The chapters don't really build on each other but for the different season of life there is a chapter that reminds you of the faithfulness of God.
October 22, 2021
All his books are great!
Loved this book along with all the other books that David Wilkerson has written. The ultimate answer for discouragement is Jesus.
Loved this book along with all the other books that David Wilkerson has written. The ultimate answer for discouragement is Jesus.
February 21, 2023
Would like to give it zero stars if I could.
January 25, 2025
Solid! Great read on processing grief, life, and what faith is and isn't in the Christian life. Highly recommend!
November 15, 2025
Revival for survival !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews