Perseverance

Perseverance   

What comes to your mind when you think of perseverance?   Are you thinking you’re in for the long haul?  Do you imagine that it’s a bad thing of a good thing?  Will perseverance be difficult or easy?  Do you feel defeated just thinking about it or do you jump in with both feet and tell yourself you can do it? 

Life is full of challenges - some good, some not so good and others are great.  Personally, I occasionally like a good challenge.  However, little did I realize when I became a widow, it would be a journey of perseverance that at times became challenging.  In the beginning, there were so many things to do.  It seemed like there were so many expectations.  How was I going to get through this new life!   Did I truly believe that God would help me through this journey?  Would I be able to walk this new path and thrive? 

As I think about the word perseverance – I think of something that is going to take a long time.  Unfortunately I am a time oriented task oriented person.  I like things completed in a timely fashion or manner.  However, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of perseverance as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.  Perseverance does not have a time frame and we should not be discouraged about how or when something is completed.

As I was reading the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, she definitely was preserving in prayer.  In this parable there are two characters – the wicked judge who only cares about himself and the vulnerable widow.  According to the story, her husband had not left her much to live on and there were not any government programs to help her out in Biblical times.  The judge kept putting her off but she was persistent.  This judge did not fear God and really didn’t care, finally granted her request to her off his back.  Even though his judge was unrighteous, there is a lesson to be learned about preserving in prayer with God is there and will answer our prayer if we believe.

It is so easy to grieve regarding mistreatment or difficult times.   Life is not always easy and sometimes simply unfair.   When we were young and first married, we looked to the future of growing old together and it seems unfair that we didn’t.  So many things to look forward to…..  Life happens and things just do not always go as we have planned do they?  However, in Hebrews 13:5 - God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  The answer is our vindication or our prayer requests may be different from one another but God will do the right thing when we pray with faith unto the end.

Perseverance is not about getting what we want but about believing that God hears us and will provide for our needs. It’s about trusting God to do what is right by either giving us our desire of correcting it.

As I reflect on perseverance, it may not always be easy.  I had other plans for my life for sure.  But knowing God is with me each step of the way, knowing I do not have to go down this path alone, brings peace and hope.  We are not perfect nor will we be here on earth.  James 1:12 reads:   Blessed is the one who perseveres…. That person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those that love him. 

So don’t lose heart…. God is never ever bothered by our prayers.   Perseverance is trusting God’s will see you through.  While we tire in our pain, God desires for us continue living by faith.  I will admit that sometimes I wonder when I’m asking God for an answer or direction in my life, it seems like I’m talking to an answering machine and wonder if He ever checks the messages.  Ever feel that way?  The time will come when you can look back and see God’s hand in your life.  You will be able to see God’s arms have wrapped around you and sometimes just carried you through.  That will be the time you will be able to walk along side of another widow going through what you have gone through.  They will see that with God’s help you have thrived.  Will you ever forget?  Probably not but you will have learned to walk forward and see that God has helped you through this journey. 

God is with you each step of the way!   😇