In the Face of Difficulty (part 2)

Persevere;  per·se·vere / pərsəˈvir: (verb) continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.

CELEBRATE THE VICTORY AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

In the previous blog, I briefly discussed the need to be able to persevere.  The need to think in terms of persevering often come in times of transition.  When we are moving from a Point A to a Point B, we many times do not know where Point B will land us, or we may think that the path is straightforward, when in fact God has a much different way in mind.

We have talked with several young adults in search of their first career or working their way through the college experience.  We have also spent much time with young parents, navigating the new waters of parenthood and raising a family.  And still other conversations with middle school and teen parents who are readying their children for life beyond childhood.  Life is full of transition, and with a transition, there is always change and unknowns, a natural place for the need of persevering.

It is for that very reason that if you are a parent of young children or any aged children for that matter, you should teach your child to have a diligent character, not willing to settle or to give in.  Prepare them to meet the challenges that will come.  You probably know from your own experiences how important it is to consider this training for your children.  Letting a child struggle from time to time when they are young can be a good thing.  

If you are past childhood, getting through a transition or other types of challenges can look differently.  Too many times we let life come at us, and we are the tail being whipped around by the dog of life.  Admittedly, many circumstances for one can be different from others, but here are a few tips that may help in your efforts to persevere.

1)    Prayer – And lots of it.  Sounds simple, but often we give into the easier path and begin to ignore God when we don’t see the results in the way or in the time we wish to seem. 

2)    Find an Inner Circle – you may have many friends, but not all of them may be helpful in your circumstances.  Having an inner circle of a few (or only one if it works for you), that can be your trusted advice givers and listening ears can be just what you need to keep focus energy.

3)    I-P-A – Have the Intention to get through, Plan your steps, and Act on them to get through and use your inner circle to help you.  Write the plan of paper as the hardest part is the follow through in action (in the very definition of “Persevere”).  A good checklist of accomplished small goals as you go will be encouraging.

4)    Stay Positive – you have an enemy that would love for you to get angry, frustrated, and better yet, question God and His existence.  Don’t buy into the lies.  Decide daily, or multiple times a day if need that you are going to find a way to keep moving forward, fix your eyes on Jesus, and trust that God is alive and well and at work in your life in significant ways.

5)    Be Patient – and maybe longer than what you would like.  Incredible Biblical stories often beg the question, “Why then? Versus why not earlier?” such as why did God leave the Israelites in bondage for hundreds of years before Moses led them out of Egypt?  In choosing to trust God’s plan for you, you also choose to believe in His timing, which is sometimes the hardest thing to do.  But don't confuse patience with being idle.

Regardless of the challenges you may currently face or will confront in the future, tell yourself to keep moving forward.  When you reach the top and overcome or make it through to a better place, enjoy the victory at hand, but also look back and see how God has worked.  His continuous work in our lives may not always be enjoyable, but it shapes us into magnificent men and women of God in His way.