Learning to Persevere
by Cynthia Jennings on September 2, 2020According to dictionary.com perseverance is a steady persistence in a course of action; a purpose, a state; especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.
Perseverance is essential in the journey of the Christian life. We do not mature without learning to persevere and we do not learn to persevere without trouble, storms and problems.
Keys in learning to persevere is to realize that trouble is normal. We must remember that God is with us in the storm and we should look for God to use us in our storm.
Use me in the storm? Yes! I know, who really wants to be used in the storm? What we really want is to get out of the storm and to get out of it quickly. God does not wait until we get through the storm to use us. He will use us while in the midst of our storms, IF we allow Him to do so.
We’ve all been guilty of the trying to forecast any future storms by naively stating what we would do if found in a particular storm. We’ve also often looked back on past storms and share what we’ve learned from it. But God is NOT looking for the predicable hypothetical what you would do, or the reminiscing of what you did. God is looking for those who are willing to be used by HIM in the midst of the violent raging unpredictable storm.
A known biblical character, Joseph. He had been betrayed by his brother, kidnapped, taken to a foreign land, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison. Whew! What a storm. Yet, even in the midst of Joseph’s troubles, he looked to God and asked God to use him.
I can hear the wheels in y’all heads churning…if I was Joseph, I would do….LOL. During Josephs storm he basically declares, “I cannot do this, but God can do this through me.” (Genesis 41:16). Throughout Josephs storms he lets God use him over and over again. Can we, will we, have we been able to say the same?
No matter how treacherous the storm, we always have a platform to be used by God. The platform is making God the goal and not just escaping your trouble.
I know, in the midst of the storm it’s challenging to focus on how we will allow God to use us, all we want is to escape the storm. And we often yell, “God get me out of this storm!”
A major tool in perseverance is having a higher goal. What is the higher goal than just escaping the storm?
Remember Joseph and his storm? Do you not think he wanted to be out of that storm? Of course, he did! But what he wanted more was to honor God in the midst of his storm {the higher goal}.
As we continue on our journey of perseverance, we will find ourselves like Joseph, transformed. Mature and complete with the understanding that storms will come and the realization that God is always with you. But the higher goal is to honor God through our lives by allowing Him to use us in the midst of the storm.
PEARLStoPONDER: Let’s not just get by in our storms. Let’s get better by growing in Christ through perseverance.
Psalms 40:1-5--I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
James 1:3-5--3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Perseverance is essential in the journey of the Christian life. We do not mature without learning to persevere and we do not learn to persevere without trouble, storms and problems.
Keys in learning to persevere is to realize that trouble is normal. We must remember that God is with us in the storm and we should look for God to use us in our storm.
Use me in the storm? Yes! I know, who really wants to be used in the storm? What we really want is to get out of the storm and to get out of it quickly. God does not wait until we get through the storm to use us. He will use us while in the midst of our storms, IF we allow Him to do so.
We’ve all been guilty of the trying to forecast any future storms by naively stating what we would do if found in a particular storm. We’ve also often looked back on past storms and share what we’ve learned from it. But God is NOT looking for the predicable hypothetical what you would do, or the reminiscing of what you did. God is looking for those who are willing to be used by HIM in the midst of the violent raging unpredictable storm.
A known biblical character, Joseph. He had been betrayed by his brother, kidnapped, taken to a foreign land, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison. Whew! What a storm. Yet, even in the midst of Joseph’s troubles, he looked to God and asked God to use him.
I can hear the wheels in y’all heads churning…if I was Joseph, I would do….LOL. During Josephs storm he basically declares, “I cannot do this, but God can do this through me.” (Genesis 41:16). Throughout Josephs storms he lets God use him over and over again. Can we, will we, have we been able to say the same?
No matter how treacherous the storm, we always have a platform to be used by God. The platform is making God the goal and not just escaping your trouble.
I know, in the midst of the storm it’s challenging to focus on how we will allow God to use us, all we want is to escape the storm. And we often yell, “God get me out of this storm!”
A major tool in perseverance is having a higher goal. What is the higher goal than just escaping the storm?
Remember Joseph and his storm? Do you not think he wanted to be out of that storm? Of course, he did! But what he wanted more was to honor God in the midst of his storm {the higher goal}.
As we continue on our journey of perseverance, we will find ourselves like Joseph, transformed. Mature and complete with the understanding that storms will come and the realization that God is always with you. But the higher goal is to honor God through our lives by allowing Him to use us in the midst of the storm.
PEARLStoPONDER: Let’s not just get by in our storms. Let’s get better by growing in Christ through perseverance.
Psalms 40:1-5--I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
James 1:3-5--3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
