Don’t Give Up

Sometimes we feel like we just can’t go on. We get discouraged. It could be in our relationships; it could be with our job; it could even be with a home improvement project. But the Bible reminds us to keep persevering.  There is something powerful that happens in us when we keep at it. We become stronger not only strength in us but we learn to be strong in the Lord as we connect more to his living Presence. No matter what trials we are enduring, we can count on God’s love and His compassion- neither of which will fail. God can bring good out of everything in our lives.  Sometimes it is just beyond our understanding… but don’t forget to trust his Good for us. The Bible shows that perseverance is one of the virtues expected of Christians. It is proof of the genuineness of faith and spiritual maturity (John 8:31; Acts 14:22; Hebrews 3:12-14; 4:1-11;  6:11-12).

Christians are not only called to believe the gospel, but also to endure whatever challenge they may face because of the gospel. True Christian victory is achieved by enduring different types of sufferings, whether tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword through the love of Christ the Savior (cf. Romans 8:35-39).

There several examples of perseverance in the Bible and below are just a few of them:

1. Job
The story of Job a very familiar one that vividly demonstrates to us how a believer can persevere in the face of extreme hardship and still keep his or her faith and integrity intact.

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:10-11).

2. The Prophet Jeremiah

Jeremiah’s life was threatened Jeremiah 37:17-21

He was cast  into the dungeon, where he sank in the mire – Jeremiah 38:1-6

He was put in the stocks  – Jeremiah 20:1

3. The Apostle Paul
The life of Paul defines what perseverance is all about. Here is how he describes it using the experiences his missionary team went through in the course of advancing the gospel:

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;. persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.”  (2 Corinthians 4::8-13)

As you face your trials in the future think of the God’s truth to us:

“Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Walk in His Power.

Blessings,

Jessica