Perseverance

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4

It is not our nature to enjoy pain. Both physical and emotional pain can be unbearable at times, so I have heard but thankfully never really experienced. Sometimes I try to put myself into the shoes of someone else, because there is no way to know what the next hour, day, or year has in store for us. I think about families in Haiti and what it must be like to lose parents, children and friends in the blink of an eye. The world we live in can change instantly. Some of you might be in the midst of trials right now. On the outside you may look fine, but deep down there is pain and suffering.

Happiness is fleeting, but joy is rooted deeper. Thankfully we do not have to pretend to be happy when we are experiencing unbearable trials. However, we are told to find genuine, enduring joy that is found only in Jesus.

Last week we learned together that someday we will “reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).” It is encouraging to know that we will be rewarded for our genuine obedience. The trials that we face, both big and small, will only last a short time. In 1 Peter 1:6-7 it says, “for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith… may be found.” When we are faced with trials, our faith is what we fall back on. If anyone is going through a trial, I pray that joy will carry them through. If now is not a time of trial, than let us search our hearts for what we have put our faith in. The question is not whether we will be tested, but rather is our faith rooted in a God strong enough to persevere when we are tested.

- Matt Simmonds

Perseverance

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

The next five weeks we get to study perseverance. Athletes understand the benefits of hard work and consistent training. All athletes understand the value of practice because we experience the benefits when it is time to perform. If we work out, study, and improve on our weaknesses, we become a better performer. Training of course is hard. There are times when all we can think about is giving up and ending the temporary discomfort that accompanies training. It’s when we don’t give up that we are most rewarded in the end.

Think back to some of the hardest practices or training sessions you have ever been through. What kept you focused and what motivated you to persevere? One of the most helpful things for me was encouragement from teammates that were going through those practices with me.

In Galatians we are given encouragement to “not grow weary of doing good.” This week I want us to encourage someone else to persevere through a struggle. We all know someone that is hurting. The list of hurt can often become long this time of year, when hope seems to be snuffed out by bills, sickness, and cold/cloudy days. Many of you are probably reaching out to someone already, but maybe there is just one more phone call to make or love donation to give.

Finally, if we believe in Jesus and trust him with our lives, we can be certain that heaven is waiting for us. Let us never lose sight of where we are going, and if any of us are unsure of our final destination, now is the time to find out and ask. Take care this week!

Matt Simmonds