Recently our Sunday School class was discussing perseverance, and we seemed to be focusing on the negative. It is true that persevering often involves encountering and overcoming difficulties. However, when we're persevering at something we love, or something we feel called by God to do, it can also be a very positive experience. The Bible tells us:
"...we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3b-5
In other words, perseverance actually produces a hopeful attitude. When we are persevering, even if we do not meet our goals, we can see progress. We can see what we have learned. We also experience love as we make connections with those who are persevering with us. We come to understand that we are not alone. God is always with us, always at work in our trials as well as our joys. Sometimes it takes us a while to recognize that -- and it's what perseverance is all about.
So, as the apostle Paul says:
"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13b-14
We're already winners. We just have to finish the race. Run with hope.
For more about perseverance see these posts:
The Passion Shows Us All How to Persevere
Five Ways to Persevere
Perseverance = Patience
No comments:
Post a Comment