Perseverance

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               “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)

                Once, I was in a Bible study where I was asked to define perseverance. My respond was simply, "Keep on, keeping on." Now, I believe it to mean something deeper. We can only go through the deep waters of life with God by our side.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines perseverance as the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness.

               When we pray for God to take away a difficult circumstance from either our lives or the lives of others, we do a disservice to those for whom we pray. When we ask God to remove an issue from our lives, we negate the lesson God want us to learn.

               Paul tells us we are to rejoice in our sufferings. I believe he means that we should take the bad things that happen in our stride.

Jesus tells us to rest in Him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”(Matthew 11:28 NIV) “Solomon teaches us to ‘trust in the Lord and not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

              

               All difficult times one goes through in life, if we deal with them calmly and peaceably, strengthen us emotionally as well as spiritually. When we trust God to guide us through these issues, we will come away with newfound strength, greater resolve, a deeper understanding about things of this life.