“Life is wearying.”
The words are now out in the open. Many feel this way, some express it but I’ve held back from saying the words out loud.
But the more I kept them inside, the louder they got in my head, and my heart only became heavier.
One early morning last week, the word came across my path …
Persevere.
Don’t know about you, but it’s not my favorite word. In order to persevere, one must go through a problem, a crisis, a hurt, or sometimes, an unwanted feeling.
The word came in a portion of Scripture:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV)
Persevere, in the Greek, is “associated with hope; it is the quality of character that does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb to trials” (from The New Testament Lexical Aids).
Through every season of change, we can grow. We may not be able to understand or make sense of the changes. But God is there, in the midst of it all, and remains faithful even when we do not.
These struggles, times filled with questions and wandering, are the very times where we develop endurance. We gain strength for the journey and the ability to keep on going until we get to the other side.
“At the timberline where the storms strike with the most fury, the sturdiest trees are found.”
(Hudson Taylor)
Our hope is in Jesus, who fills us with hope as we persevere on step at a time, one day at a time. We do not surrender, we do not give up.
We surrender all to Him so that
we do not surrender to our circumstances!
“Even beyond child bearing, faded beauty speaks of sacrifice; the giving of oneself for the benefit of others, in ways often unnoticed.” These words from Donna Bucher served as a wonderful reminder that there is more to beauty than solely our appearance. You can read her post, Love When Beauty Fades, HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
I tend to want deliverance””as quickly as possible””more than learning and growing through perseverance. But, oh, how much more shallow I would be and how stunted my growth without those uncomfortable stretching times.
I think we all want quick deliverance. But you are so right … our growth would be so stunted. May we persevere and keep growing.
PERSEVERE was my word for 2020, so I especially appreciated this return to the ideas around hanging on in hope.
Your words fit well with so much of what I have been reading and prompted to recall and the word that often comes is what John writes in Revelation about enduring to the end…end of the current crisis, end of all things, or whatever we hope there is an end to. We are depleted in so many ways and need the Lord to impart resilience into the deepest part of our soul and spirit.
Shoulder to the storm and move forward! It’s the only way to get through – and you are right – it is tiring, but to give up is to stay in the storm. Good word this morning, Joanne!
Maryleigh – I love this so much! “To give up is to stay in the storm.” Those are words of wisdom!
Joanne, I agree with you, life is wearying. I was pondering that very thing the last few weeks. Focusing only on “deliverance” and removal of the issues, I failed to see the benefit of weathering or persevering in the storm. God’s ways are always best, and though He doesn’t always remove the wearying trials, He shoulders them with us, and strengthens our inner man to go on.
No! We never give up!
The great thing is … He will help us. We go on in His strength.
Yes ma’am! Shouted “Amen” a few times as I read your post Ms. Joanne. Life has a way of “chewing us up, and spitting us out”, but it is when we go to God as our source of strength and resolve that He gives us what we need to face the next moment or day. For me, I think that’s why my quiet time with God is so important. It gives Him an opportunity to refill my cup as I rest in His presence. As these days continue, it seems I find myself drawing close to Him more times each day.
Perservere. I am thankful for your message today. I need it. Thank you. 🙂
“We surrender all to Him so we do not surrender to our circumstances!” Love that!
This is so powerful, Joanne, “We surrender all to Him so that we do not surrender to our circumstances!” Surren to Him is our key to peace no matter what the circumstances are around us.
I needed this today.
Thanks for sharing this passage from James, Joanne. I need to sit with it for awhile this evening.
I am toughed by your words today Joanne. Amen & Amen!
Visiting from #20&21
I loved Donna’s post too, Joanne. Your thoughts about perseverance brings to mind my latest running efforts … it’s so hot and humid here in Kansas, and all I want to do is quit before I’ve even started in the morning. I keep telling myself to keep going, though, and before I know it, I’m back home again. Thanks for reminding me that in life (and in running) perseverance builds character and endurance.