Treasured Perseverance

What is Perseverance? What do the Scriptures say about perseverance? Are there any drawbacks to persevering? Steph provides these answers and more.

Treasured Perseverance

Recently I wrote two posts based on my pastor’s sermon about what it means to be a slave of Christ: Treasured Master and Treasured Forgiveness.

Today I want to explore a third topic that came to mind while I was listening to this message, Treasured Perseverance.

Is your To Do list as long as your arm? Do you feel like you need a break? Is burnout nipping at your heels?

And what about focus? Are you living for the weekends? Are you dreaming of the day you can afford to change jobs and do what you really love? Are you constantly asking yourself, “Am I really doing what God wants me to do with my life?”

Perseverance Means Not Growing Weary

Trust me. If you answered yes to some or all of these questions, you’re not alone. I think many of us are either asking them now or have done so at some point.

These questions bring two particular scriptures to mind.

Colossians 3:17 says,

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” Colossians 3:17 (ESV).

And Galatians 6:9 says, “

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” Galatians 6:9 (ESV).

Can we simply add these commands to our To Do list and succeed in obeying them?

It doesn’t work that way.

We must spend time reading and focusing on God’s Word regularly. We must take time to pray. And we must learn to “take every thought captive to obey Christ,” as it says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV),

In order to make time in our schedule to exercise these and other spiritual disciplines, we will likely have to set some things aside.

The Sacrifices of Perseverance

We will certainly have to ask ourselves some challenging questions … questions like the following. Am I willing to get up a half hour earlier? Will I pick up the Bible instead of my favourite novel? Will I deny my child the opportunity to join the traveling team because they practice on Sundays, making it impossible for us to get to church?

Only as we give God His rightful place in our life will we be able to do everything we do in Jesus’s name. And only then will we be able to do what lies before us without growing weary.

I Can Demonstrate Perseverance

Sometimes our situation will change. But, most often, the first change to take place is the one within us. Instead of wondering what lies ahead and spending an excess of time daydreaming about what it would be like if things were different, we ought to look to what each day holds and seek to honour God even when we don’t have time for everything we want to do.

For now I spend several hours each week working outside my home. And until the Lord sets me on another path, I pray I will do the work before me as unto Him. I also pray that I will not grow weary doing what He has called me to do.

I had gotten into a funk because I was spending too much time focusing inward rather than upward (at the Lord) and outward (at those He has brought into my life).

Will these feelings overtake me again in the future? Perhaps. But, in His strength, I can persevere.

No Condemnation

Before I wrap up this devotional, I want to share another scripture. Romans 8:1 says,

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1 (ESV).

If we are followers of Jesus, we are not under condemnation. He took our condemnation for us. We may, however, experience the conviction of His Holy Spirit, challenging us to make changes in our life.

I think of it this way. When we’re under condemnation, we feel as if our hands and feet are bound and someone has thrown a heavy, wet blanket over us. There is no escape.

Conviction, on the other hand, may feel the same at first. But God always provides the way out. And often, if we’re paying close attention, there will be a pinprick of hope and expectation that grows brighter as we walk in increasing obedience.

And although our situation may not change, as we seek the Lord each day, He will direct the course of our life and give us the wherewithal to accomplish all He intends for us to do. And we will find our joy, peace, and contentment in Him rather than our circumstances—as it should be.

What challenges are you facing? What have you learned from other women? Contact us!