Perseverance, the Sweet Spot of Faith

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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 1:3-4 (NIV)

"Write 665 words." My brain had been going a mile a minute all morning. I haven't written anything in weeks. Daniel is homesick, so maybe his sister and I can run up to college and spend the evening with him. Ooh, the rain loosened up the dirt. I can finally get those stubborn weeds. Both cars are on the fritz. I could finish painting the first coat in the bedroom.

As I sat in the driveway, exhaustion threatened to consume me before I had completed a task. Determined not to spin my wheels and quit, I sought the counsel of my husband and gave him a rundown of my "to-do list" and "wish list." I asked, "What was most important, what could I let go of, and what should I start first?"

Brian's oddly specific encouragement was the catalyst I needed to sit my butt in the chair and handwrite this devotion. It was like a neon sign flashing, "Start Here!" Persevere until 665 words were complete. I could do that. Perseverance is showing up, keeping our eyes fixed on God, and taking that first step we think is impossible. He does the rest.

How do we garner perseverance, especially if, like me, you have bought into lies about your capabilities, work ethic, and worth? You might find yourself saying every time you feel overwhelmed:

* God can do this without me, so why try?

* Nothing I do really matters, so why try?

* I've failed before, so why try?

* What if I succeed? I'm scared of what comes next. So why try?

In the moments we feel overwhelmed, we tend to forget that the result of standing firm in God's calling is that we are "complete and lack nothing". The Latin origin of perseverance is "to persist," a derivative of perseverus, meaning "very strict." (Dictionary.com) So like a runner, training for his race. We show up, listen to our coach, fail and try again, and endure until the end.

Perseverance is the training ground for faith. It allows us to change direction. Stumble and get back up again. Standing firm is a safe place to question our motives, focus ourselves, push past fears, doubts, and declare truth. When we stand firm, we come into agreement with the statement, "Nothing is impossible for my God." (Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Jeremiah 32:27, Luke 18:27)

In this place of strict persistence, we find God faithful, that we can indeed complete what God asks of us, and there is joy in sweating it out and standing firm. Perseverance allows for reinforcements to arrive.

We do not stand firm alone. Motivators, like my husband, are there to correct and cheer us on. What a delight I felt knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I could complete 665 words because Brian knew I could. I believe in you. God is the author and perfector of your faith.

Perseverance is the glue that holds our faith firmly in place when circumstances and trials shift and change all around us. God uses people and circumstances to help us grow in trust. So let me be that person for you. Here are verses we can meditate on that speak on how to persevere:

Hebrews 12:1-2: We have examples of others in faith who obeyed God. Fix our eyes on Jesus.

Romans 5:3-5: God pours love into our hearts; suffering is valuable to God.

Isaiah 40:31: God renews our strength.

1 Corinthians 15:58: In the Lord, our labor is not in vain.

Philippians 3:13-14: Eternity with God is our prize.

Ephesians 6:10-20: We are made strong by tapping into God's strength.

Persevere. Trust. God doesn't always reveal His intentions, but we know the outcome will be good because His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. He is enough for us each day, and what we do in this life matters to Him, to our neighbors, and for our well-being. God is in control of the how, and we are not. Start here. God is faithful to see us through to the end. What a sweet spot to stick trials out. We can consider it pure joy, because we know that we will be complete, and lack nothing.