Perseverance is Key

        This week God has really laid perseverance on my heart. He also made me realize that what He lays on my heart might not be for me to hear at this time, but for me to hold it in my heart and to share with others. What He, lays on my heart might be exactly what someone else needs to hear at that moment. While I feel like I’m persevering and not having very much trouble with it, someone else might not be feeling the same way. If that is you, than maybe this is for you.

        Don’t give up. God knows what He is doing. He has a purpose for it all. As Stonewall Jackson says in God’s and Generals, “Press on”. Keep your focus on what matters. What truly matters is to glorify and honor God; this is our purpose. This might be done by being a missionary in a far off land, working in another land, working in your day to day job that you don’t really like, going to school over and over and over again, being a mom or dad. It all matters, God has you exactly where He wants you to be. Don’t give up. Keep heart. When you get stressed out or are anxious about what your next step is or where your future will be, just breathe, and give it to God. He formed you for His glory. “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7, ESV). He knows what He is doing. I cannot stress to you enough that He has a plan, He knows where He wants you and what you’re going to do to glorify Him. It is our choice to choose joy and seek Him in our darkest hours. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, ESV). He will give you the peace you seek. When I went to Kenya, I was very uneasy about the trip. I didn’t know if it was really what God wanted me to do, but I gave all my worries to Him, I sought Him, and I found peace. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33a, ESV). Satan will fight to confuse you, he will fight to destroy you. God and His army of angels will fight against him, and they will win. Persevere through the good and bad, I promise you will be blessed. It is so easy to give up because it’s too hard, but don’t give in, don’t give up. “So we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:16a, ESV). Keep heart, don’t give in. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV). He knows the plans, He knows what He’s doing. So if you are feeling stuck in a place where nothing feels like it is glorifying God, just remember to seek Him. He most likely using you exactly where you are. He has you there for a purpose. There is a purpose and meaning for it all. Our God is good, faithful, merciful, graceful, and omniscient. He knows what He is doing.

The words to Selah’s “Press On” say it all.

“When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall
When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
To press on”

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKJ6dmKV0Gc

Just remember to persevere through it all. God knows what He is doing. He has a purpose for it all. He is a most gracious and loving God. "The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He" (Deuteronomy 32:4, ESV).