Perseverance is a powerful word meant to encourage us in our efforts. Understanding the spiritual meaning of perseverance is an essential part of our faith journey.
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
Hebrews 12:1a-2b NLT
I was honored to participate in my friend Mary Lizzie’s memorial; she ran her long race well.
For 97 years she reflected the love of Jesus while demonstrating extraordinary stamina and grace. She understood the spiritual meaning of perseverance.
Preparing her eulogy, I wondered how to sum up 97 years in 5 minutes; not an ordinary life but one overflowing with love, gratitude, and joy
It was a difficult and rewarding assignment expressing a layer of Mary Lizzie I was fortunate to know.
Mary Lizzie did not have an easy life but one filled with the joy of the Lord. She focused on sharing the love of God.
She was not a celebrity or Olympian but a good and faithful servant who ran her race with endurance keeping her eyes on Jesus, her champion.
Celebrity, success, and microwave satisfaction are a big part of our culture, so perseverance is often discounted.
Perseverance requires a slow, steady commitment to a purpose and spiritual perseverance is a commitment to God above all else.
“My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-4 GNT
Spiritual Meaning of Perseverance
How do we persevere in faith staying on the path God has designed for us? How do we not grow weary as we tackle life’s challenges? How do we finish our life race strong?
The spiritual meaning of perseverance is trusting God moment by moment and day by day.
The spiritual meaning of perseverance is waiting on God and not losing hope.
The spiritual meaning of perseverance is staying connected to Jesus and encountering His presence.
We don’t have to be the best and win at everything, we have to be obedient, grateful and show up.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24
Our most important mission is to love and pursue Jesus with all our hearts as we look more like him helping others along the way.
We don’t know if we have 97 years to live but we have today. Understanding the meaning of spiritual perseverance reminds us that we choose how to walk through life.
-We choose how to face obstacles, push through, and persevere.
-We choose how we treat others and respond to how we are treated.
-We choose how to exhibit love, gratitude, and joy.
How do we keep going without giving up?
Making time for a daily encounter with Jesus…just like Mary Lizzie.
We grow closer to Jesus and love others out of the abundance of love received from Him.
“Sit with people who sit at the feet of Jesus. The conversations are different. You walk away feeling inspired and not inferior. These are the people who know this Christian walk is a race, but Not a competition.”
Unknown
Prayer to Persevere in Faith
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for today. May I exhibit joy, gratitude, and love toward you and those around me.
Help me run my race by focusing on you, not those around me.
Give me the courage and stamina to overcome the obstacles and disappointments that come my way.
Help me keep my eyes, mind, and heart on you and all you have given to me.
Amen
This devotion on the spiritual meaning of perseverance was published as part of the Day Break Series on Crossmap.com
Author
Mary Rooney Armand
Mary is the creator and writer for the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her writing is featured on multiple websites and she is the author of the book, “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I am in Christ” and Life Changing Stories, a devotional collection, available on Amazon.
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