Perseverance

Sometimes days (and even weeks) go by where most things just don’t seem right.  Stresses of life, situations with people, attitudes and personalities of people, my own attitude, the garbage in the world, and just simply plugging away with a busy daily schedule and decisions can overwhelm me!  And when it all builds on top of each other I can easily get frustrated and discouraged.  A feeling like, “Why do I really do what I do and what really is God’s plan for my life?”  Well.. the last month has been one of those times for me.

BUT – there’s great news!  In times like these, God is always faithful.  There is always just the right song or just the right Bible verse that pops in my head.  I know I shared a few verses earlier this week, but again today I was reminded by a devotional that God is above and beyond what we need in this life.  I want to have the perseverance God calls me to have.  I’d like to share the devotional with you, so here it is: 

Don't Give Up When Times Get Tough
by Rick Warren

This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long, but they will produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the trouble we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT)

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is life so difficult sometimes? Don’t be surprised if God is using tough times in your life to test your faithfulness.

Faithful people keep on keeping on when other people want to give up. Faithful people are diligent and determined. They are persistent.

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul says you need to get the right perspective when you are going through a problem. Don’t look at the temporary problem; look at the long-term reward. Don’t look at the temporary pain; look at the long-term gain. Don’t look at it with the short-term view, “What’s happening to me right now?” Instead, look at the character that you are building because you haven’t given up. You’re hanging in there.

God is more interested in what you are becoming than what you accomplish.

If you are facing difficult times right now, I want to challenge you to write this verse on a 3x5 card and memorize it: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).

I pray it will encourage you to keep going. You will be rewarded!