And not only that, but we also boast in suffering—knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Ruach ha-Kodesh [Holy Spirit] who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5, TLV

Perseverance. Interesting that this verse popped up in YouVersion’s verse of the day. It was just verse of the day in December, so why again so soon? Because frankly, just like December, I woke up tired, with the knowledge that my “To Do” list was longer than yesterday’s, and didn’t know if I would write today’s Daily Word.

There were breakthroughs for several of those challenges back then — PRAISE THE LORD — but life seems to have a bottomless pit of challenges to replace the ones we’ve overcome.

So, this message is for me, once again, and I pray it will be a blessing to you as well.

Hope does not disappoint.

So, why do I continue to pour out my heart and share what I believe the Holy Spirit has revealed for me each day? I do it because it blesses me, and, well, writing is a gift from my Creator.

But, the greater gift is hearing from my Abba.

8 Attributes of a Perseverant Person

A blog isn’t much of a challenge, really. There are much more difficult things to press through. I always wondered how people persevered under the most difficult of circumstances. Multiple deaths of a loved ones in a short period of time, illness, challenges one would never think could happen. But, here is what I’ve observed.

People persevere because they:

1. choose to hope: they choose to have hope that they will spend eternity with their lost loved one, that whatever pain they have will one day end, that challenges will draw them closer to the LORD;
2. read the word: reading the Bible — not just books about the Bible — feeds our hope, strengthens us, centers us, reminds us of GOD’s truth;
3. spend time with Abba — Dad: beginning with simple prayers of good morning, or a personalized version of the LORD’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), following a verse-of-the-day program along with reading a chapter of proverbs and/or psalms — then listen;
4. worship: spending time in solitary and corporate worship, reminds us, with beauty, who GOD is — He is everything to us;
5. practice gratitude: being thankful reminds us of all GOD has done for us in the past, and during a difficult season, it’s all the more important to remember what He has done for us. The most precious, our adoption through His Son’s atonement for our sins;
6. enjoy His creation: a sunrise, sunset, gentle rain on a thirsty land, a child’s laughter, GOD’s wonders simple and majestic, they pause and notice and take in the beauty and preciousness;
7. reach out to others: even in their lack, we can make a difference in others’ lives, even if it is to simply smile at a harried cashier, giving up a choice parking spot to another, baking cookies for a neighbor or a casserole for someone getting surgery, a phone call, reaching out to others helps us persevere during our challenges.
8. don’t do it alone: helping others is important, but asking for help is important, too. Cultivating a relationship with a small but dependable circle of trusted, spiritually mature friends or leadership is important. Sometimes we just need a hand.

These are attributes I’ve noticed in those who persevere. How do you persevere?

Thanks so much to all who have read these little missives from my heart to yours.