How You Can Develop Perseverance

life’s troubles can train us to give up, but with God’s help we can find the motivation to overcome, learn perseverance, and enjoy the payoff that comes as a result.

Tested By Troubles

 If you give up when trouble comes, it shows that you are weak.

Proverbs 24:10

But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life, so he keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, he quickly gives up.

Matthew 13:21

God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.

Colossians 1:11

When trouble comes, it tests our character and spiritual strength. If we are not rooted in the Bible we will not have the motivation and conviction to endure life’s challenges. As a result we are unable to hold on to what we believe and end up quickly giving up. Only God can provide us with the strength we need to persevere. He will not only supply us with the power for perseverance but he will also grow our character as we endure.

What troubles are testing you in life right now? What is God showing you about your character and spiritual strength?

Facing life’s troubles is like doing pull-ups…unless you have built up your core strength, you won’t have the strength to hang on. Defeat is inevitable. We need to continually work on our core strength to be prepared for the tests ahead.

The Motivation To Persevere

God, with his mercy, gave us this work to do, so we don’t give up.

2 Corinthians 4:1

Finding the motivation to persevere is key. God gives us something beyond ourselves to drive us to persevere. God’s purpose helps us focus on something other than our desire to quit.

What motivation to persevere has God given you? What would be the cost of giving up?

Marathon runners have to dig deep within themselves to find the motivation to keep going, especially as they reach their threshold of pain. They must decide whether quitting to find relief is worth the hours of training they’ve already invested.

What has God been training you for? Who could benefit from what you’re learning? Think of them rather than yourself and persevere!

Conviction Shows Us How

But you have followed what I teach, the way I live, my goal, faith, patience, and love. You know I never give up.

2 Corinthians 4:1

Convictions (our deep beliefs) comes out in what we teach, how we live, our ambitions, our heart & our character. Convictions help you overcome your emotions when they are screaming at you to give up. They are like an overdrive that kicks into gear when faced with the temptation to quit.

What have you been learning from the Bible and from other people that could help you overcome what you’re going through right now?

Prayer Makes It Possible

Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people.

Ephesians 6:18  

Though our emotions and temptations to give up may not go away, prayer makes it possible for us to develop perseverance. It is essential that we get our emotions to agree with our convictions. Otherwise, we can endure for a while, but keep the option of quitting right there with us. God designed prayer to help us and to help others. We can wrestle through our feelings by choosing to pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and asking for everything we need.

What do you need to wrestle through in prayer get your feelings to agree with your convictions?

It Will Payoff

But you should be strong. Don’t give up, because you will get a reward for your good work.”

2 Chronicles 15:7

We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

God has an undying vision for us to be strong; to strip away anything that’s stealing your strength. With God’s help, he gives us the ability to take on whatever life brings. He wants us to live in stride, not becoming tired of doing God and persevering.

Will you stick it out to see his payoff? Will you make the choices that will enable you to never give?

If you do, He promises a reward and eternal life.

Challenge:

• Find multiple times of the the day to pray even it its quick.
• Use quiet moments in the car, at your desk, while you’re walking to pray.
• Find different types of prayers in the Bible to study out.
• Be vulnerable with your needs in prayer.
• Make a prayer list of those you’re close to and their needs.