Perserverance

Topic: Perseverance 


I’m sure a lot of us can relate to a season of stillness and complacency. 

You’re stuck in a season of stillness that has gone on a lot longer than you hoped for. We question how much longer we have to suffer until our prayers of breakthrough shine brightly.  The struggles, the no call backs, the rejections, the silence. It’s challenging to stay faithful in a season that all you want to do is hide in a corner and pout. Your feelings become stronger than your faith. There is so much unknown that you begin to feel uneasy, fearful, anxious, and maybe even hopeless? It’s the unknown, the questions, the fear of making a decision that’s outside of God’s will. The tightening in your stomach when you feel everything around you seems to be coming down. It could be work, relationships, health. We are all going through storms. It’s during these storms that we are called to persevere and produce endurance. 

 We look to Scripture for guidance:   James 1:2-4

"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

       We, as Christians, are called to keep walking in faith, even when we have no idea where to go. By accepting life’s tests and temptations, we become people of “mature character". There is no shortcut. The idea of instant endurance is nonsense.  The pain brought on by interruptions and disappointments, by loss and failure, by accidents and disease, by changes and surprises, is the long and arduous road to maturity. There is no other road. I leave you with the following verses. You are never alone. In your weakness, He shows His strength. 

Psalm 118:6 says, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Take comfort knowing the weaker you may feel, the more our Almighty Father will show you His strength. Lean in and accept His peace. His peace will ALWAYS override your worries and fears.

There cannot be enough emphasis or reminders that God knows our suffering and is with us always. We are not alone and never will be, for the Lord our God gives us strength. He reminds us we can find strength through Him. God will lift us up above all our sadness. 

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