Building Perseverance

Definition of perseverance: Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Synonyms for perseverance: Persistence, tenacity, determination, staying power, and steadfastness.

My alarm clock sounded off loudly at the usually 6 am, but on this Monday morning I did not want to get up for my usual morning run. The weather was already hot and humid, and I was just plain tired. I just wanted to crawl back into bed, but I remembered the commitment that I made over a year ago that I would become a runner. Becoming a runner was no small task for me, being that I never ran long distance before, but I became disciplined and achieved the ability to run several miles without feeling like I was going to pass out. Here I am over a year later and the once amazing results that I saw my physique transform into has lessened. In other words, I am seeing little progress in my physical body changing, it seems my weight has stayed the same over the summer. So I woke-up on this hot Monday morning thinking to myself, “what’s the point in running I’m not seeing results anymore.”

I heard not audible but in that still small voice of God, “I am building perseverance within you, and you are learning not to quit when it gets tough or there is little results.” The Lord has used my running to teach me many things that I can apply to my walk with Him.

Persistence and steadfastness mark our Christian walk. If we are to discipline our minds and bodies, perseverance is key. Why? Because I can almost guarantee you will want to quit or give-up somewhere along your life’s journey. This is especially true in our relationship with Jesus, we may want to give up on God when He does not seem to answer our prayers in a timely manner or the way we think they should be answered. It is not just God we can give up on but our marriages, jobs, ministry, or our health.

As Christians it is important to develop the characteristic of perseverance; we will need this trait when times get tough and we see little or no progress in our lives. When trials come our character and spiritual strength will be tested. We must be rooted and grounded in Christ to overcome life’s challenges.

Runners have to dig deep to find the motivation to continue despite pain and weather challenges. There are boundless opportunities that a runner can use to quit. The option of quitting must be banished from the runner’s mind, as well as the mind of a Christian.

Last week, I got up at my usual 6 am time to go out for my run, but was meet with a torrential downpour. I had already made up my mind I was going to run to matter what, so that is what I did through the rain. I persevered through the rain!

When life gets tough we must make a resolve never to quit or give-up our faith or on Jesus.

Resilience, is the ability to recover and continue in life no matter the problem or obstacle. Perseverance, is the ability to persist in life’s pursuits in spite of difficult obstacles.

Resilience and perseverance are character traits that can be learned!

We can not only endure trials (preserve) but come out stronger in the end! (Romans 5:3-4). Learn to persevere-continue on despite challenges. The more you remain steadfast through problems, your perseverance will build.