” Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4
I’ve just started the study, “Looking for Lovely” by Anne F. Downs. In today’s homework she asks this question: “How different would your life be if you made a commitment to persevere-to not quit?”
My answer, I’d be 25 pounds lighter!!!!
Seriously, that is one area that I constantly struggle. It made me think, we all have areas where we are constantly trying to persevere. Every day I talk to friends or family who are all “persevering” through something.
Perseverance can be defined as a steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.
Here’s the catch, in order to be persevering, that means in some way, shape or form you are suffering. After all, when you’re having fun it’s easy to keep going. It’s when things are tough that we want to give up. It’s not so easy to be steadfast when you’re in pain.
Yet according to James 1:4, it is letting perseverance finish its work in us that makes us mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Perseverance takes work!
Perseverance is exhausting on so many levels, both mentally and physically. It can leave you bone tired or emotionally spent. There are days when it would be so easy to quit, then there are days when you feel like you could conquer the world.
What is it that makes people keep persevering? What stops them from giving up? Why do I constantly get on the band wagon every time I fall off?
Is it because suffering leads to perseverance, perseverance leads to character and character leads to hope? That is what Romans 5:3-5 says, that at the end of the road is hope.
Hope is why we keep persevering. It is hoping that today will be different, that this time will be different. It is hope that is the light at the end of the tunnel.
A single strand of hope is a very powerful thing. It can move mountains, cross oceans, save lives. Hope is the anchor to persevering, without it there is no reason to keep going. Hope is what keeps us on course. It is the belief that there is something better. Hope is what gives us purpose. Hope keeps us steadfast.
“…Hope is the anchor to the soul…”. Hebrews 6:19
The Hope Anchor
