4 Things To Remember About Perseverance

by Raymund Tamayo

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36

Perseverance is important for successful living. It helps us consistently pursue a goal or live out our principles and beliefs, regardless of problems and difficulties. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, the apostle Paul compares the pursuit of the Christian life to a footrace. His vivid analogy shows the importance of perseverance not only in our earthly lives, but also in our spiritual lives.

“24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

4 Things To Remember About Perseverance

1. Pursue Spiritual Discipline. Only the foolish attempt to run a marathon without preparation. Simple day-to-day disciplines, such as prayer and studying the Bible, prepare one’s faith to endure and help prevent those in the race from being disqualified.

“8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8

2. Work In A Sustainable Pace. Christians sometimes try to accomplish too much too quickly, relying on their own strength rather than on God’s. Those runners often find themselves fatigued or burned out. Waiting on the Lord’s timing sets an appropriate pace.

“20 We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” – Psalm 33: 20-22

3. Stay the course. In the middle of long races, runners may “hit the wall,” a point where they feel physically and emotionally spent. From their perspective, the finish line is far away and quitting is a strong temptation. When Christians continue running, choosing obedience over emotions, they will eventually experience a “second wind,” a renewal of God’s strength to sustain them.

“9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

4. Have A Strong Finish. God uses the challenges of the faith race to develop people to be mature and complete in Him. Just as athletes are crowned with victory wreaths and medals, God rewards those who persevere to the end.

“7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:7-8

“3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4

“2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4