perseverance: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc.,
especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
i always think about what perseverance means at the end of my pregnancies. especially since each of my darlings have decided to come later & later (#1: 10 days early, #2: 4 days late, #3: 7 days late...). and, alas, no matter how i feel, i am FORCED to keep going.
biblically & naturally, perseverance is a good "tool" in your belt. it's such a positive character trait when you watch someone do it gracefully. and, its especially amazing when its someone that works for/with you.
but, in the moment...it is painful. it takes everything you have to force yourself to keep going.
like my daughter, for example. she is now 5 years old so she doesn't nap very often. but, the rule is that she has to stay in her room & play quietly. and, at the end of nap, she has to pick up all the things she got out. (she often "exercises" or has dance class, models 5-10 outfits, dresses all her dolls & babies in her closet, gets out all her magnetic dolls & pieces, etc...and this is just during one nap time.)
often, by the end of "rest time," she is "toooo tiiiiiiirrrrrrred" and "her back hurts really badly" so she can't pick up her things. :)
so, we have been working on "persevering." and, when she makes the effort to keep going beyond what she feels she can handle, she is proud of herself. and, i am proud of her too. it shows she is getting older.
pregnancy does force you to persevere. you really can't get that baby out any faster than she wants to come (unless you schedule a doctor to go in & get her). it really doesn't matter what you do (believe it...i've tried it all). maybe you can aid her, if she's about to make an entrance, but there is no forcing it.
as a child, learning to persevere is always in simple tasks: cleaning, eating, doing homework.
as an adult, its much more painful: losing significant amounts of weight, continuing to work through challenges in your marriage no matter how painful, looking for a job when you have been for months or years, not giving up mentally/physically in the middle of a sickness, standing with your child through difficult times at school, continuing life after someone dear has passed away.
but, perseverance has its reward.
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.James 5:11
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
and, lastly:
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4
perseverance is powerful. it either makes us who we are as strong women or the lack of it makes us weak-willed & a challenge to be around.
embrace the difficult. don't give up. giving up will hurt you & those around you.
you can do it!! i can do it!!
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