Perseverance Perceived

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I’m still hanging on.  I’m still getting through this mess with my back.  I’ve got an appointment on Wednesday (May, 13th (which is also my son’s birthday)) to see a pain management Doctor.  It’s an exciting time, I think that’s the right term to use.  It’s also a bit frustrating because this sounds like putting a band aid on a broken arm.  It might cover it up, put it’s still broke.  I keep telling myself though that anything that can be done to keep me from taking this pain medicine will be a relief in and of itself.

Even through it all, how have I managed to keep my sanity about me?  Some may say, “Well, Scott, that’s debatable.” and I would tend to agree with you.  Maybe I’ve never had my sanity about me?  Maybe sanity is not the appropriate word, maybe the appropriate word is keep my Christianity about me.  My answer you already have determined, I’m sure, but just entertain me for a bit will ya?

Persevere

– to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly

It’s a word that I’ve heard so many times throughout my life, but haven’t really understood it to it’s fullest.  Also, over the last bit it’s been one of those hot topics that everyone that I’m around seems to be talking about.  You know how that is.  You hear a word one day then the next everyone is using it.  It’s been etched in my brain and I guess that’s part of the reason that I’m still on the right track through this.

I have been thinking of some examples that I can compare myself with. Compare, to see how they persevered through their rough times. Persevering is not just about getting over a painful situation though, which is what usually comes to mind when I hear that word. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know though.

A lot of times when I think of a person in the Bible who was a great example of perseverance, I think of Job.  Poor guy was just enjoying a meal with some family one day.  Then, with God’s permission, Satan started tearing Job’s world apart.  Just reading the first chapter of Job can usually make me feel better about what I’ve got.  But God knew the faith of Job and just as planned Job didn’t let him down.

Throughout the book Job deals with death, sickness, and friends trying to “talk some sense into him”, or so they thought.  But good ol’ Job persevered through it all and in the end, He was blessed with twice as much as he had before (Job 42:7-16). I invite you to read the entire book.  He really is a great example of perseverance.

The book of James, one of my favorite authors in the bible, tells us a lot about why one should persevere. Instead of repeating it, just go read it for yourself. I think it is a very inspirational book on perseverance.

Obviously the greatest example of perseverance is Jesus. He is the example that I hope I am being. I’m sure I’m failing a lot, but I’m trying.

Karen emailed this to me this week and I’ve just got to share it with you.

The Faith to Persevere

“Because you have kept My command to persevere ” (Revelation 3:10).

Perseverance means more than endurance—more than simply holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
–My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers

High Fives

I’m going to brag on someone here.  I’m going to give this person a pat on the back.  That person is myself.  Through the pain I can’t remember a time when I said “I can’t take any more.” I can’t recall a time when I’ve said “Why God? Why the pain?” I’ve never given up the ONE who will see me through this. I’ve persevered through just by hanging on to Him and all of my brothers and sisters. There have been times in my life where the complete opposite would be happening right now.  I see God working through each of my friends and it really is a blessing.

So now, I give you a pat on the back.  I’m going to brag on you.  If it wasn’t for you guys and gals helping me stay focused I really don’t know that I could have made it this far.

I know, don’t count your chickens before they hatch.  I’m still fighting the pain and it does appear to be getting worse.  But I’m persevering and I will persevere because “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”

You too can persevere.  “Every successful person has to start somewhere” is a quote that I read sometime over the last week.  Every successful person has had to persevere. In what ways have you persevered?

Because of HIM

SC