“My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 CEB
Perseverance is a funny topic for me. It can apply to so many different things in one person's life and it’s hard to nail it down sometimes. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t only apply to when you have to make it up that last flight of stairs in the 17 floor hotel with no elevator. Right now in FCA, we have picked up 5 new students for what we call Summer Edition. It’s like FCA, but only for 8 weeks during the summer months. Recently, there has been some drama and turmoil. It’s been hard trying to lead not only the other students, but even myself well. But with God’s strength I have persevered through it all and am now starting to see the bright side. Along with everyone else, we are all coming along very well.
Another example, probably the most prevalent for me and maybe the most relatable for you is studying. Three out of the four days we are in the office and we have a 2 hour study block. One hour for our verses and 1 hour of Berean. I have a very hard time when it comes to studying. Can’t sit still, can’t focus, can’t do anything. So through perseverance I have learned of ways on how to combat that. Get up and take a 5 minute mental break.
All this to say, you will have hard times. Maybe there’s someone you have to have a conversation with and you're scared to talk to that person. Maybe there’s a test you aren’t prepared to take. Maybe there’s a school that you are going to enroll in that you don’t think you are ready to go to. With the strength of God and the perseverance of an iron will, you can do all.
“I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 CEB
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