Reasons to Hang in There, by Paul Faulkner
A lot of things have been said about the value of perseverance. We all
know the good old fable about the tortoise and the hare. And the great
preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “The snail would never have made
it on the ark, except through long perseverance!” Winston Churchill
lead an entire nation through World War II with his grim determination
to go on to the end and never surrender.
The book of James puts it this way:
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 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 RSV)
How do I know?
An apostle of Jesus speaks about persevering when he says:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved
his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
The crown comes after persevering through the fight and completing the
race. Perseverance will make life work better for you today!
How do I know? Because many years ago, they beat my Lord, they
ridiculed him, mocked his holy name, they spit in his face, they nailed
him to a cross, and then pierced his dead and mangled body to prove he
was dead. But, after three days in the tomb, he rose from the dead. So
just as there is dawn after the dark of night, there is also joy after
mourning for those who persevere.
Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm
30:5 NRS)