Word of the Week - Perseverance

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 in anything. James 1:2-4

Definition of Perseverance: Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure or opposition: steadfastness; overcome.The power of our faith is realized through Perseverance: I love this verse because it is so encouraging in the promises of God and the reality of life. God is very clear throughout scripture that as believers we do have an adversary that will work to discourage us, especially as we face the trials of life, and there is not doubt that we will all face trials as Jesus told us in John. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. The good news and promise is that ultimately we win; we overcome by our faith in Jesus through the cross and the power of our testimony in Christ. The only way we can fully understand and know the power of our faith in God is by the testing of our faith through the trials of life. This process produces in us the amazing characteristic of Perseverance, the power and ability to keep going when we are facing opposition and want to quit, which allows us to become mature and complete in Christ. What an awesome and encouraging truth and reality. Since James personally experienced this reality, he was able to share this truth with great conviction. I can personally attest to this truth in my own walk of faith over the past 20 years as I have Persevered by faith through many challenging trials. I have experienced the reality of this verse. These trials have produced in me new levels of faith and maturity that I would have never attained without the trials, so I do consider them a blessing even though it did not feel like a blessing while I was enduring through them.The benefits of Persevering through trials by faith: Just a reminder, we don’t earn our salvation; it is truly a gift from God that comes by a decision to put our hope in Christ through faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”  Ephesians 2:8-9. That being said, once we make a decision to follow Christ we are responsible for our growth and maturity in faith as followers of Christ. If we want to live to the full and experience the full benefits of our faith, we must be fully committed (see last week’s word of the week from 1/17/21) and remain committed. This will require us to develop the characteristic of Perseverance, which can only be developed through fire and testing. “Not only so, but we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5: 3-5  Like most things in life, there is a great return on our investment if we are willing to play the long game and remain consistent, persistent and determined in our pursuits and convictions, especially when it comes to things of faith. Our reward is growing and maturing to reach our full God-given potential, this process of sanctification produces in us and through us increased faith and spiritual fruits such as love, joy, peace, patience to name a few, and ultimately gives us influence to help build and multiply God’s Kingdom.What does it look like to Persevere?: Walking through trials with a godly attitude and an eternal perspective. Truly believing and understanding that the trials of life are opportunities for growing and maturing. Protecting our hearts so they don’t grow bitter by taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).  Staying connected to a body of believers through small groups, spiritual friendships or accountability partners who know what you are going through so they can help encourage you and pray for you. Staying connected to the vine of Christ daily: “I am the vine and you are the branches, if you abide in me I will abide and  you and you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5. By reading God’s word and praying for wisdom and protection so that our hearts remain open to hear, see and receive from the Lord. Constantly asking the Lord to give us perspective and eyes to see and ears to hear what He is trying to teach us through the trials we are enduring, “Ears to hear and eyes to see – both are gifts from the Lord” Proverbs 20:12. Not blaming others or pointing fingers but taking responsibility for ourselves and what we are doing. Understanding that we cannot control others, but we can allow God to do a work in us and trials are His process of doing a refining work in us. We must remember that God is good and faithful and has our best interest at heart. As our loving Father, He is more interested in building our godly character than our comfort. The truth is that this life is simply the refining process of become mature and complete in Christ so what we are prepared to dwell in the house of the Lord in fellowship with Jesus for eternity.So be encouraged in any trials you are facing and step into faith in God so you can Persevere in Christ and become mature and complete, not lacking in anything.Have a great week.-Duane