Choose to Persevere
When going through hard times, we've trusted the Lord and we've built our faith by "remembering when" He's done great things in the past. But sometimes we simply have to choose to persevere and keep going. It's not always easy.
I've faced times when I wanted to run away and hide somewhere. I've wished I could just scream and scream. The Bible tells us that the Lord won't give us more than we can handle - but I've wanted to argue with the Lord and tell Him He was wrong - it was getting to be too much to handle.
But, in the end, when my emotions and my heart have settled - I'm been able to speak out trust afresh to the Lord! And I knew He understood the process I went through to get there. He hasn't promised that everything would be easy. He hasn't promised perfect health. He hasn't promised that we'd be rich, or famous, or successful. But He has promised a lot of other things.
It's good to remember some of those promises:
- He said He'd never leave us. Matt. 28:20
- He said His love never ceases and His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22, 23
- He said that His joy is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10
- He said He won't give us more than we can handle. 1 Corinthians 10:13
- He said His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in my weakness - I don't have to be strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9
- He said He's working in things to bring good. Romans 8:28
- He promises rest for the weary. Matthew 11:28
- He said He'd give us peace. Isaiah 26:3
- He said He'd instruct us. Psalm 32:8
- He promised to fight for us. Exodus 14:14
There's so many more. The list is endless of how God promises to meet and help us when we choose to persevere. He won't make us persevere - we have to commit our hearts to that. But, when we do, He'll help us in countless ways.
"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4
"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame." Romans 5:3-5
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
Persevering in the midst of trials and suffering is usually hard. But it's so worth it! And God is with us each step along the way.
About the Author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Her husband, Floyd McClung, was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of 16 books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep.”
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