Meditations on Perseverance

Being carried along the way.

Perseverance is a critical part of being fully mature and a normal part of the human experience. I didn’t say perseverance was an easy thing to develop, but it is a necessary one.

What are you currently persevering through?

Are you tempted to give up?

What happens if we don’t persevere? What happens if we do??

All these questions start bubbling up when we consider what perseverance means. As I reflect on the attribute of perseverance I can’t help but consider my own personal battle with Lyme Disease and how many times I wanted to throw in the towel. How often I felt like I could no longer bear up under the weight of feeling unwell, broken, and (yes!) even persecuted. But what is the alternative???

Quit. Surrender. Give up.

Or, build up for yourself a storehouse of encouragement and simply persevere with hope.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

It has been a daily decision for me. Some days were harder (much harder) than others. And some days I had a lonely pity party or cried to a friend, but not one day did I ever feel like I had been left behind or forsaken. I know the Lord has carried me through and allowed me to persevere and I believe that somehow, someway the Lord will use this for good.

“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 into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5

• Perseverance is not just simply accepting your difficult circumstances; it is an active choice to keep going, trusting in God's strength and guidance.

• Perseverance is a deep-rooted conviction that God's promises are true and that He will provide the necessary strength to overcome any obstacles that come your way.

• Perseverance is not a one-time act but a lifelong commitment; you choose it over and over again.

• Perseverance requires consistent effort and determination to stay faithful to God's word, even when you have doubts, setbacks, or discouragement.

• Perseverance is a daily decision to trust in God's faithfulness and rely on His grace to sustain you.

p.s. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Click here if you wish to learn more or contribute to the study and care of this disease.

Want to go deeper on Perseverance? Check out this post.