Perseverance

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. James 1:2-4

I am a quitter. I am guilty of quitting things when they get too complicated. For instance, I have started writing my third book several times in the past months, but it is hard. So, I quit. To keep writing, I am going to have to push through some very tough moments. I will have to allow myself to be very uncomfortable and do things I think are really, really hard. I am going to have to persevere.

So, how do I do that?

Having acknowledged the discomfort I am in, I now need to decide to push through. God always gives us a choice. I know God will test my character as soon as I take the next step. For me, it is self-discipline the Lord will test. Knowing what lies ahead, I hesitate. Already my character flaws are being exposed, and I don’t like what I see. Guess what? God perfects our faith by working in those exposed hard places.

Have you heard the saying, “Put on your big girl panties and deal with it”? I tell myself this all the time; it is my motto for perseverance. It reminds me that things don’t have to be comfortable to be good. If you’re like me, your big girl panties don’t fit all that well. Perhaps they are bunched up in all the wrong areas and flat-out uncomfortable. Being a little uncomfortable while working outside of your comfort zone is different than being heavy.

Matthew 11:30 tells us, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Perhaps if things feel anything but light, you might look to see if you have Jesus in the yoke with you. According to the dictionary, a yoke is a wooden crosspiece fastened over two animals’ necks and attached to the plow or cart to pull. You were never meant to pull this load on your own. Please make sure you have not placed yourself in a solo position.

Finally, friends, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). This is our hope, the light at the end of the tunnel. When we have Christ working with us, we have eternal hope, a light that cannot be extinguished. As I persevere in writing this third book, A Warrior of Joy, I can count on both the process and the harvest to be places of joy. Because as a Warrior of Hope, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have also learned to live as a Warrior of Peace during hard times. And in persevering, I am becoming, A Warrior of Joy!

Heavenly Father, I choose to persevere in doing the work you have set before me. Forgive me for trying to go it alone. I hold on to the hope you shine ahead of me, so I never lose my way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Relevant Bible Verses

Matthew 11:28-30–Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Philippians 4:11-13–I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.

Reflect and Respond

What uncomfortable thing is God asking you to do right now?

How do you feel when you know Jesus is in the yoke with you? Do you need to invite Him back into an area in your life where you may have been trying to go it alone?

Respond in prayer regarding the places you want to let perseverance make you mature and complete.  

Related Resources

Amazon.com: Laurie Hampton: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle