Perseverance….

Perseverance…..do you posses it?

The Biblical definition for Perseverance is not giving up. It is persistence and tenacity, the effort required to do something and keep doing it till the end, even if it’s hard.

Ok, so yes, this is the definition, but Perseverance means so more than endurance, it’s so much more deeper than simply holding on until the end.

Although the words endurance and perseverance may be used harmoniously, perseverance carries the significance of life experience, and is active.

It is continuing, non stop power, that gives a long-standing perception.

Perseverance is a choice that you make with each step showing God that you are not into Him for only what He can provide, but because of who He is and your love for Him.
(Hebrews 10:36) Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

So, after all that, do you possess Perseverance?

Well, let’s see.

Can you say you walk in His will—no matter how long it takes or what happens along the way?

Listen, no one is saying there won’t be hard times in your life, when you’ll be tempted to quit and give up – and yes, you might even feel sorry for yourself along the journey and think “I can’t do this Jesus thing, it’s just too hard”, but trust me, God can and will equip you with perseverance to keep going.

If we could just see the end at the beginning and get a glimpse of the awesome plans God has for us while going through, we would not quit.

All He wants is for us to just trust Him as He works those plans out…. so we can’t be getting discouraged and mad in the mean time – between time while He’s at work for us.

We cannot be a quitters, we have to Keep on keeping on… no matter what!!
(Galatians 6:9) says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest [we will be rewarded] if we do not give up”.

Let’s face it, we all have challenges we must go through to get to the other side, where God’s promises await us, but if all we can see and hear are the waves of the storm crashing behind us, in front of us, and yeah’ pretty much all around us, then what are we pushing for?

It’s so easy to allow situations and circumstances to be that distraction sent by the enemy himself to cause us to forget the promises that God has made. The enemies job is to get us to take our eyes off of the prize… which is the Word of God.

It’s in those moments of uncertainty, doubt and plain ‘olé self debate when God seems to be the furthest away.

However, it’s in times like theses that teach us to settle ourselves down, get a grip and remember the promises that God has made to us in His Word, and as well as in those quit times, alone where it was no one but you and Him. ( Luke 1:45) Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Yes, during that time where you allowed the peace of God to stand still and minister to your entire existence. (Psalm 34:7)
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Hold on to those promises that God gave you, and realize you’re no longer where you use to be. Encourage yourself in the Lord, and be mindful of how far you have come to get to where you are in Him now, and keep on walking, talking, and fighting NEVER! allowing senseless thoughts of the enemy to weigh you down or shackle your mind with his mumbo jumbo!

Keep in mind

(Philippians 1:6)being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

A person with perseverance never gives up no matter the situation or circumstance…..they stay focused at the task at hand and that is.
( Philippians 3:14) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

AND!!

(1 Timothy 6:12) Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
No one is saying

perseverance is easy, but it is going to have to be a commitment on your part to put it forward, regardless of the setbacks, slaps in the face, obstacles, or oppositions that show up.
(James 1:2-4) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Because isn’t it in the testing of our faith that perseverance gets developed??

There are to many people today who struggle with being all they can be for God and not completing whatever course He has for them – all because of the pruning and purging He allows one to go through, which ultimately leads them to a place of growth along the way.

So, Watch Out !! here comes a little tug on the things you hold so dear to you…. Like – finances, family, job, or material things, and all of a sudden you feel as though it’s wearing you down!!! And, not taking one look at God to ask if He has a hand to play in these areas before caving in and quitting.(read Psalm 139)

The problem with folks today, is that they think because they are in Christ and have a relationship with the Trinity ( Father – Son – Holy Spirit) they are safe and won’t have to go through a little rough patch here and there, but let me tell you, “that is not the truth” and why is that’s not the truth?

It’s not the truth because God has to grow you through the faith you say you have, by bringing circumstances and situations into play, showing you that through the suffering, is where perseverance is produced, and it’s used to produce character and character to produce hope (Romans 5:3-4). And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Stop bowing out and quitting on Him before He can see if He can trust and use you…. even if things do get a little hard.

Don’t you know in Him you can do all things! and that it’s not in your strength that you’ll pull through, but it’s in your weakness that His strength is perfected?

Just remember when you allow God to work on your greatest weakness, He can turn it into one of your greatest strengths.

So just keep in mind when you are tempted to give up because of what’s going on all around you, be mindful that God has a plan for your life and a future with His name all over it….. filled with things you cannot even imagine, and it’s all awaiting you!! if you hold on and don’t give up.

Be reminded of (Psalms 27:13) I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Be Blessed….