Perseverance

I can't believe we are already in the middle of January. It is a month where many of us set out New Year resolutions and goals for the coming year. Many us would have already broken those resolutions or faltered on our goals. Yet God tells us we should persevere. I looked up the definition of persevere and it says to continue in a course of action despite opposition, difficulties and discouragement. As mature Christians, we should persevere with faith and not be discouraged.

I mentioned New Year resolution goals, but what about situations where we find ourselves with nowhere to turn. We ask God why? Why have I lost my job? Why has that friendship broken down? How can I pay my rent or my heating bills? There are so many whys we can find ourselves in. In Romans 5 it says: "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

The word suffering means time of distress, worry, pain and trouble. We all have those, yet we persevere. We know that to persevere through our suffering forms our character and through all this there is hope. Our hope is in Jesus. God is with us. He loves us.

"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 5:5)

The fact that God loves us should give us all the strength to persevere. Yet many of us struggle and find it difficult to find God. During the time of the Exodus, the Jewish people were rescued from slavery, yet they too doubted where God was. They continually cried out to God with complaints about their lack of food and the circumstances they found themselves in. We too often complain about our situations and fears. Yet God never abandoned His people. He provided food and cared and protected His people. He was and is Faithful. You are His people too and he won't abandon you as you persevere in your situations. God wants to bless you and help you every day.

God wants to see in us a faith and love that grows for Him. We experience obstacles and situations to grow our perseverance, to strengthen our belief and faith in Him. As we persevere and we overcome those situations, so our faith growths that God is always for us and not against us. Don't give up and become disenchanted, but persevere and grow.

One of our human impulses is to run when we are faced with pain or difficult situations. We think it's easier. However the desire to run or avoid difficulties is not an option if you want to be a mature Christian. We shouldn't blame God or question why he doesn't remove these hurdles in our lives. You might think that being a follower of God gives you a get out of jail free card. If you don't experience hard situations, then how do you know that God can always be relied upon. How would your faith grow? James says: "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)

Therefore the next time you are struggling, and there will be times of difficulty, remember you are not alone. Just like the Israelites wandering in the desert, God knows your needs. You just need to have the faith to persevere and know that you are not alone as you face your trials. There is a purpose behind these difficult situations, even if you cannot see it at the time. Be assured that God knows what's best for you and he is always by your side.