Sometimes we poke our head out of the crazy rush of life and realize this: I’m not where I want to be. We all have goals. Even the most unmotivated of folks have things they want to accomplish. In essence, we don’t want to stay where we are…like we are.
The cost of discouragement is more than we can afford. In many ways, discouragement is a strength zapper to perseverance. When discouragement presses down hard, we want to give in and give up. Success no longer seems worth the effort. In these moments, fears and condemnations circle with the tenacity of vultures diving for their prey. God’s Spirit whispers to our hearts,
“do not confuse not yet with not ever.”
Persistence brings greater faith as we act on faith to persevere and keep asking. Persistence in prayer and perseverance carry us forward and are necessary in difficult circumstances because it is easy to become discouraged, give up or turn back.
Do you ever feel like perseverance is a bad word?
Or at least a word we don’t really want to have to deal with? When the walls seem to be closing in and the roof feels like it is about to fall down…perseverance is needed. When you find yourself frustrated with the daily responsibilities of home, work, and family, a little shot of perseverance goes a long way!
Do you ever have those days when you are just in a snit? Days when your best effort is nowhere near enough to close the gap of all that needs to be done? Days when “just one more thing” is enough to push you over the edge of reason? Days when you just don’t like what the Bible has to say about things like patience, rejoicing, and kindness?
Believe me, I have plenty of “don’t get it” moments. My good intentions can be misdirected or misinformed.
This is my need for grace—the grace of truth, the grace of forgiveness, the grace of setting me straight.
