A few days ago, I was texting with a friend. We were briefly
updating each other with what we were dealing with, and at the end of her text
to me she wrote one word.
Persevere.
She knows it’s my word for the year. But somehow, I keep
forgetting it.
It was the word God whispered to me before the year started,
and the word I complained to Him about. The
word alone implies struggle, and I was already tired of struggling. I asked
for a different word. I offered to keep last year’s word—Renew. But, my word
for this year is Persevere.
And somehow, the word itself escapes my memory. It happened
when I was speaking to a group of women earlier this year. I could remember the
past years’ words, but drew a blank when it came to this year’s word. Luckily,
my friend was sitting close and reminded me…Persevere.
I’ve asked myself why I keep forgetting this word and I come
up with only one answer—I’m knee-deep in the persevere trenches, and that leaves
little time to think about it.
To persevere is to hold on and keep going; to continue
steadfastly in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement. (Dictionary.com
and Thesaurus.com)
In my own words, to persevere is to lean in close to God no
matter what comes, knowing that He is leading, guiding, and walking me through
every step of the way. {Tweet this}
Disappointment, discouragement, and weariness will come, but with my
focus set steadfastly on Him, they cannot consume me. Each trial draws me into a closer relationship with Him and
brings me out stronger on the other side.
I need this reminder to persevere. It
helps me look back and see how my endurance has been strengthened. And it
encourages me to hold tight, press on, and keep moving forward.
It’s a good thing to persevere.
Or as James tells us…
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 NIV
In Christ,
[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]
Linking up with: Grace & Truth, #FreshMarketFriday, Give Me Grace, #DreamTogether Linkup, Moments of Hope, #SmallWonder, #LifeGivingLinkup, #RaRaLinkup, Intentional Tuesday, Coffee for Your Heart, Thought Provoking Thursday
Oh, Laura, this hits sooo close to home, to my walk daily. Thank you for the reminder, the encouragement, and for the heart-to-heart text you just gave me! You thought you and your friend were the ones texting, but it was to me too!
ReplyDeleteCaring through Christ, ~ linda
I just did a series on persevering in a discouraging marriage, Laura, so I love what you're challenging us to do here, my friend. It is never easy, but nothing worth possessing ever is easy. That's part of what makes it precious too--because of what God does in us as we persevere. Thanks for being so vulnerable about your own journey. It's inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, Laura! I needed it this morning! I agree, it's hard to think about persevering when we're in survival mode. But you wisely pointed our focus back to the one place where we can have every need met . . . even the strength to persevere! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteLaura, this morning I have been reading a lot about persevering, tenacity, and not giving up. May we truly hold on and not get tired of doing what is good. We are promised a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Thank you for reminding me this morning to persevere. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteLaura this is wonderfully encouraging!So many of us are going through tough seasons and we all need the reminder to persevere-me included!
ReplyDeleteAmen! I love the word persevere- what a great word of the year. Sometimes it's just continuing to get up each day and put on the new life of Christ. A conscious choice, regardless of what's going on. Thanks for the encouragement and sharing your journey!
ReplyDeleteLaura, thank you for this encouraging reminder. I like that you mentioned that our struggles cannot consume us when we lean on the Lord. He knows our struggles, and He is there with us even when what we are going through doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteI love your definition of persevere. That's exactly what I'm trying to do, too. I'm so glad God is faithful to be with us always and will continue to guide, strengthen and comfort. Many blessings to you, Laura!
ReplyDeleteI love those verses in James - the reminder that God will help us persevere and that He will use our perseverance through hard times for good! And I love your definition of perseverance! Thanks for your encouraging words.
ReplyDeletePersevere....one of the most difficult words to live out, but so much grace through the process and so much reward on the other side! I love being challenged to be intentional in my faith walk Laura, and you always do:)
ReplyDeleteKeep on keepin' on, sweet friend! I'm cheering you on in prayer! Persevere is a very good word, indeed! Thank you for being a part of #MomentsofHope! I appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and smiles,
Lori
I think my own word needs to be persevere! Thanks for this reminder.
ReplyDelete