Practice of Perseverance

Perseverance is a practiced trait.  For many, though, it is assumed that either one is or is not capable of persevering.  This, however, is not the case.  We all have within us the capacity to persevere under trial, it is merely our ascension and commitment to the fixing of our eyes on the prize that determines our success in the battle of perseverance.

Spiritually speaking, perseverance can be considered one of the most important traits that is shared by mature Christians.  As Christians, we will face trials and tribulations.  How we handle those struggles, either by leaning more into Christ or leaning more on our own understanding, is the mark of perseverance.

In truth, to persevere, strangely enough, has far less to do with strength than it does with conviction.  When we assert definitively that we will commit to the task of loving God and loving our neighbors, this is the path that will be challenged.  It is not, however, our strength that determines our success; it is our commitment to Christ that, ultimately, renders us successful.  It is His victory and His strength that permits us, by His grace, to persevere under strain and strife. Ultimately, then, it is He who is our focus amidst the trial and it is He who allows us to persevere.

Let us always keep this perspective when we are faced with the advancing difficulties of this world: Our job is not to persevere, it is to continually praise Him.  And through that praise we will persevere.  We should not worry about perseverance for its own worth because those who fix their eyes upon Christ will persevere.