Perseverance

…We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance;
and perseverance, character;
and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)

According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the word PERSEVERE is defined as:
To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any design or course commenced; not to give over or abandon what is undertaken; applied alike to good and evil.

My niece, her family and some friends recently ran a 5K race.  Among the runners was her 10 year old son Drew, who is very athletic and was up for the challenge of the race.  Drew told me he thought it would be easier than it was.  The further along in the race he got, the harder it became.  He persevered through the fatigue and pain, staying focused on the finish line.  He had one goal in mind, to finish the race no matter what.  This young man placed 29th in the race out of over 250 participants.  This was not just in his age group, but overall placement for everyone running. 

Drew, his mom Shasta, & our friend Aley

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,
but one receives the prize?
Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 
1 Corinthians 9:24

The word PERSEVERE has been going through my mind all week.  As some of you may remember, I slipped on the ice some time ago and injured my ankle.  I was in an air boot for 5 weeks, followed by physical therapy.

Well….. pain sent me back to the doctor last week, and x-rays revealed a hairline fracture of my tibia bone, related to the ankle injury.  I’m back in the air boot. 

It feels like I was almost at the end of the “race” so to speak, and had to go back and start it over again.  I will continue to PERSEVERE as the alternative would be to quit, to give up.    

 

The instinct to persevere can even be found in many examples of God's creation.  Here's one below. 

A friend who was contemplating a decision recently wrote this to me: 

I took a walk down to the bridge near our house to vent and have a talk with God. Whenever I go down there I always feel a sense of wonder of God's creations and feel more in touch.

Well this time I saw over a hundred baby salmon or brook trout! It was amazing. They were all fighting the current and splashing around eating bugs. Some would get carried away by the current. This reminded me of how important it is to be strong and also gave me a notion that I made the right choice.

My friends, I don't claim to have the answers for why certain trials come on us, but I do know, no matter the trial, God's word is applicable to whatever situation you're facing.  

tribulations produce PERSEVERANCE
perseverance produces CHARACTER
character produces HOPE

This HOPE we have is security of eternal life with Jesus.  If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior, and you want the HOPE that this verse speaks of... I'd encourage you to visit **here** another post here on this blog - Eternal Destination.