Today Isaac, our youngest child reaped the benefits of perseverance. Several months ago he had a bit of a scare when attempting to canter on the pony he rides. It didn’t go at all well, and ended up with him screaming on the back of a startled pony, who eventually stopped as she realised her rider was not happy with her cantering.
To his credit Isaac has persevered even though he has at times been quite scared. Each week he has spent time thinking about, praying and focusing on being able to canter again. Some days it just wasn’t going to happen as he struggled with his fears, but gradually he was able to venture to take one step of cantering, then two, four and then a whole circle in the arena. As the weeks have passed by he has set himself a new goal of going a little further each ride, and today he blitzed his goal and completed 5 full circles of cantering, with a huge smile on his face.
Perseverance means not giving up. It is persistence and tenacity, and the effort required to do something and keep doing it till the end, even if it’s hard.
The bible talks about perseverance and that persevering in our faith produces steadfastness. When this “steadfastness has its full effect…you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4, 12 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Learning to persevere in life and in our faith is an important part of living the life God has planned for us. When we fail to persevere through difficulties, setbacks or things we may be afraid of or find challenging we will keep giving up, which is not something God wants for us. He doesn’t give up, He remains faithful, and He always says keep going, keep running your race, keep believing and keep moving forward with me. We also have a great cloud of witnesses in heavenly places who cheer us on, and encourage us to keep persevering.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Whatever you are facing today, I encourage you to seek God for His wisdom. Clarify if what you are believing for, and focusing on are things that He desires for your life. If they are, then keep going, even if it’s hard, because you will surely get there. And if Isaac’s win today is any measure of how much joy we can have in persevering, (even though it may be difficult or scary at times), then it’s well worth it.
Prayer: Lord thank you for your strength and help today. Help me to persevere in the things you have directed me in, until I reach my goal and have run my race. In Jesus name Amen.
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