Persistence

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

- Galatians 6:9  

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you…never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. - Harriet Beecher Stowe 

I feel like have made this post before. I certainly feel like I have needed to. Persistence, perseverance, endurance are qualities that I keep sensing the need to communicate over and over. Why? Because discouragement seems to be around every corner, and I do not intend on letting it win.  
 
I saw this quote the other day:   

One of the strongest weapons Satan deploys against believers is the weapon of discouragement and despondency. No Christian is immune against this weapon of the devil. At times, the devil’s strategy and attack are so insidious that he gradually lays hold of his victim. – Austen C. Ukachi  

I believe this to be true. Discouragement is one of Satan’s most powerful weapons. His strategy is to get us to take our eyes off of Jesus and all that He is doing in the world and put our eyes on all the things not going right in our world. It is a type of distraction, and it can be devastating because once it gets ahold of you, it’s easy to give up…on goals, people, His church, and ultimately on God. 
 
This is not something new. It is seen throughout Scripture from Elijah in the Old Testament to Satan’s attacks on Jesus in the New. Our adversary fights hard against us, but we can’t give in, give up or stop. Those are the things Satan wants us to do. God wants us to trust Him and to keep going.  
 
One of the best things we can do for each other is to encourage one another. Assume the people around you need to be encouraged and reach out to them. Tell them how much you appreciate them. Point out things they do well. Share a verse with them. Ask them how they are doing. Pray for them. Do whatever you can to encourage them.  
 
One of the best places to be encouraged and to encourage others is in a Small Group. We will emphasize encouragement in our groups this season because we need it. It is life giving. You can still sign up and join a group. Check out our small group page on our website (Small Groups.) Be an encourager and find encouragement there. My Small Groups have been a lifeline for me in the past and have been a great source of encouragement to me.  
 
To encourage others, you need to be encouraged yourself. You need a well of encouragement to draw from.  
 
The greatest source of encouragement is God through His Word. Over and over, He speaks through His Word to encourage us. He reminds us of His faithfulness and love. He tells us of His compassion and then He shows it to us in our daily lives as we speak to Him in prayer and listen and watch for His reply.  
 
Below are some Scriptures full of encouragement. Read them as if God was writing them to you personally because He is. Let the Spirit speak into your heart and fill you with peace and strength.  
 
It’s tough out there. You know that already. But even in the midst of the darkness, there is light and joy.  
 
God is faithful. He keeps His promises. We are going through a tough time, but God is greater than anything we will face.  
 
So, don’t give in to discouragement. Don’t let the negative things of this world get you down. Persevere through your problems and trust God to see you through.  
 
Read the following and let them soak into your soul and be encouraged. 

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. - Psalm 34:17-19  
 
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. - Psalm 147:3 
 
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. - Psalm 55:22 
 
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 
 
 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11 
 
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28 
 
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8:28 
 
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! - 1 Corinthians 9:24 
 
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 
 
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. - 1 Peter 1:6-7 
 

Let’s stay encouraged. Something tells me that I’ll feel the need to write about this again in the future, but that’s okay, I think I am writing as much for myself as for you. 

A Prayer by Jill Briscoe 
Lord, thank You for Your presence in my life daily.  You have the power to pull down strongholds, and a plan for all the things going on around me.  When I become burdened in my circumstances, help me to discipline my thoughts to bring it to You once daily.  Then give me the strength and faith to keep persevering to keep going until the day the worry is over and You cause the wall to crumble.  Amen.