In a day and age in which quick solutions are popular, we recall how our parents persevered in bringing us up. Often they were so certain about the goodness in us, they made it plain that we could do it much better. When we had self-doubt about our ability, they were so certain that when we tried longer, when we tried more often, the results would be so different. Often it seemed that they knew for certain what could become of us, they did not have any doubt. They preserved in all certainty. We did not realise it then, but we realise it now.
Each time a parent tries to get his child to take his first steps, we see the parent only see the child walking. All the many falls of the child are taken as part of the process. At no time any fall influenced the expectancy of the parent that the child would walk.
We see the gardener and the farmers. We see them, sow the seeds, water them, shield the initial sprouts of green life, over weeks and months the plants matures to eventually bearing fruit and vegetables. Such a glorious display of perseverance. The worms which attack the plants, the hot scorching sun determined to try to wilt the plant and many other issues come in between sowing the seed and getting the harvest. But through all this the gardener’s certainty that he would see the fruits at the right season always gave him expectation, gave him hope, driving him to persevere.
1a) How can you increase perseverance? 1b)What are the benefits of perseverance?
From the world’s perspective, any trial is disliked. The moment we know a trial is likely to come our way, we could by default, think how we can avoid it? Some of you like me, the mind would start working over drive on ways and means of avoiding it.
Since we desire to be like Jesus, we need to know what the Bible says. Knowing the truth in the Bible, we work towards changing our default thinking, thoughts and behaviour to what the Lord expects from us. That’s the best way we can truly say and mean we love him.
So the Bible, the Epistle of James, Chapter 1, verses 2 to 4,
1a)We ought to consider it great joy whenever we face trials.
When we have a joyful moment what do we normally do? We shout out loud, consider doing so as a sign, Wohou!!, let your face show forth the joy.
The reason for the joy is plain and simple, since any trial, any testing of faith results in perseverance. Thus, when we start considering our trials a joy, we increase our perseverance.
1b) And the result of your perseverance is beautiful maturity as a fruit, which results in wholesomeness, as you have won victory over the trial successfully, thereby not having any want. Here is the verse.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (Epistle of James, 1:2 to 4)
2) Can you share at least two perspectives on perseverance? Give the related verses as well.
Here is a perspective on perseverance.
When we go through sufferings, we think differently, we take that as an opportunity to build our perseverance.
We do so as building perseverance, we improve our character.
When our character becomes better, the hope we have increases.
And our hope becomes fruitful as Gods love nourishes our hearts and our lives.
Here is the verse from the Epistle to the Romans, chapter 5, verses 3 to 5
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope.
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Another perspective on perseverance can be found in the earlier point 1a and 1b
Go ahead, start practising with greater intent you’re learning on perseverance.
