More Than a Belief

Sometimes life just gets hard. I’m not talking about having a bad day or a momentary painful circumstance. I’m talking about when we enter into something longer, more profound, darker and ongoing. There are periods of our lives when we simply enter hard seasons. For whatever reason, the joy is difficult to find; you feel trapped by your life, you feel as though you are suffocating emotionally, your thoughts tend to be negative and hopeless. Relationally you feel isolated like no one really understands you. Sure, there are people around you, but you still feel alone. During these times we can even feel isolated from God. Where is God when I need Him the most? Where is His help when my soul feels crushed? Deep down you know there is no short-cut out of this. There is no quick fix. You can’t just microwave a solution to make it all better. No, you’re in a hard season. How do I know all this? I’ve been in hard seasons too.

Maybe this describes the season you’re in right now. What do we do when we find ourselves in hard seasons? How do we navigate our lives through these tough times? Is there any hope? Of course there is, but the process is not easy. Remember, it’s a hard season. The first step is to stop looking for the easy way out. This only sets you up for more disappointment. You just have to let that one go.

One of the most profound life altering truths I have experienced over the years is simply this: Refuse to quit. I know, you were looking for something more spiritual. Perseverance is a biblical truth. Perseverance is what we need to get through the hard seasons of life. Perseverance is one of the most spiritual and essential qualities we need in this hard life.

Heb. 10:35-36 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (NIV)

The author says “patient endurance;” in other words, “perseverance.” What does this look like? It is choosing to trust God even when you can’t see Him. It is choosing to follow Him in obedience even though you don’t feel like it. It is treating people with love even though you feel you have none to give. It is trusting in His forgiveness when you fail. It is believing in His love for you when you wonder why He does. It is getting out of bed one more day and choosing to do the right thing even though you don’t know how. It is believing God is right there with you even though you can’t sense His presence. It is praying and begging God for the strength for one more day even though you feel your prayers don’t go past the ceiling. It is refusing to listen to the lies in your mind that tell you to throw away your trust in God. It is also remembering and trusting that there is a reward for this type of perseverance. When you don’t think it matters, perseverance reminds you that it does.

If you find yourself in a hard season, please don’t quit. I know you’re hurting. I know it’s confusing. I understand that it’s painful. Please don’t quit. Don’t quit on yourself and don’t quit on God. Remember this is a season and seasons change. This one will not last forever. You will come out the other side. God will not allow this hard season to define your life or your future. You will experience all that God has promised. I do know this because of the hard seasons I have experienced; they have made the promises of God that much sweeter. They have made my relationship with God that much closer. The same will be true for you. May God give you the grace for one more day. Don’t quit!

Scripture for the day: II Cor. 1:8-11

Thought for the day: Can you make a simple commitment to God each day, praying; “Lord, I choose to trust You today.” “Please give me the perseverance for one more day.”