One of the recurring themes in the Bible is perseverance. The apostle Paul wrote: ‘Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.’ He also wrote: ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’ (Galatians 6:9 NIV). And James wrote: ‘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 NIV). In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul compares his life to a race. The dividing line between winning our race and losing it isn’t talent; it’s tenacity. Being tenacious means this: 1) Giving it everything you have, not more than you have. Some people wrongly believe that being tenacious means giving more than they have to offer, so they get discouraged and stop pushing themselves. But being tenacious means giving 100 per cent – not more, and certainly not less. 2) Working with determination instead of waiting on destiny. Persistent people don’t rely on luck, fate, or destiny for their success. They recognise that trying times aren’t the times to stop trying. 3) Stopping when the job is finished, not when you’re tired. To succeed in what God’s tasked us with, we often have to push beyond what we think we can do. Victory isn’t declared until the last step in the race has been run. So let’s draw on God’s grace, refuse to give up, and keep going until we cross the finish line.

What Now?

Read some of the verses and stories in the Bible that talk about persistence and tenacity. Make a note of any that inspire you to keep going with the task God’s given you, so you can re-read them whenever you need encouragement.