As we conclude this series on how to win in life, one of the most basic keys to overcoming every difficulty is the key of perseverance. God wants to bring us blessings of many kinds, but you have to keep going in life to receive them. There are times when we may find it hard to keep going, when we may not know how we can or we have little strength to do so. But whatever situation you may be facing, you must keep going.
Perseverance means continued effort and determination to achieve success despite difficulties, obstacles, failure and discouragement. It means to be a person of guts, of dedication, diligence, devotion, drive, purpose & staying power. The Bible is full of examples and teachings urging us to persevere, such as Abraham (Romans 4:18-21) and Job. But the greatest example of someone who persevered is Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-3). We see from these verses about how we can persevere:
1. To persevere you must run without baggage (Hebrews 12:1; Hebrews 11)
a. Get rid of sin
b. Get rid of everything that hinders
i. Throw off discouragement
ii. Throw off self-pity
iii. Throw off distraction
iv. Throw off the cares of life
v. Throw off sadness
2. Never stop running your own race (Hebrews 12:2; James 1:2-4)
3. Always be encouraged by the example of Jesus (Hebrews 12:2-3; Hebrews 10:35-36; James 1:12)
Apply
Have you got tired and weary and stopped running? Well this is the moment to make a decision to strip from your life everything that would hold you back. As Christians we are part of a long line of people who have gone before us, people who have persevered and achieved their destinies, such as the many heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. So for us to run our race as successfully as they ran theirs we need to 'throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles’ (Hebrews 12:1). Running is hard when we are carrying more weight than we should. If you have unconfessed sin or unforgiven guilt in your life, it will burden you. That’s why you need to get right with God and others that you have sinned against. When you do you will be much lighter. You also must throw off all discouragement and self-pity. Self-pity is very subtle and makes us sit on the sidelines as victims, feeling sorry for ourselves as everyone else runs past. To win you need to decide to throw away the self-pity and get back in the race of life. We must also throw off all distractions, the cares of life, and sadness. We have to learn to keep clear perspective about what’s important in life and not be distracted by social media. Whilst trying to conquer your business or move to the next level, be sure to enjoy the scenery as you run! We must always guard our hearts and minds so we do not become weighed down by our circumstances. We must not live forever in pain but receive healing and look ahead with faith for the future.
Are you trying to run your personal best or are you more focussed on the race that others are running? There is a race marked out by God for each one of us. We need to run our own race and stay on our own track (Hebrews12:2). It’s about running your personal best, not trying to beat others: don’t try to run someone else’s race or run at someone else’s pace. You need to run every day with a clear purpose and vision for your own life and never stop. Maybe you feel like quitting or giving up. Maybe you can’t see how your marriage is going to improve or how you are going to get out of debt. Perhaps you are feeling tired or lonely or struggling to raise your kids. The key is to dig deep. Do what you can practically and spiritually to equip yourself for life. However slow you go, just don’t stop: every step is a step nearer to conquest. Often something that we see as a setback is actually God setting us up for great victory. God is also working all things together for our good (James 1:2-4).
Are your eyes fixed on Jesus or on your circumstances (Hebrews 12:2-3)? We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, not on the circumstances we are experiencing. Jesus knew he had to drink the bitter cup of man’s sin and take up the cross for the redemption of mankind. He endured such pain, such suffering and shame, such opposition from vicious sinners. So how did he manage to persevere? Because he saw ahead the joy of conquering sin and death, the joy of seeing multitudes rescued from the kingdom of darkness, the joy of totally fulfilling the will of His father and the joy of sitting down in conquest and glory at the right hand of the Father. When we keep focussed on Jesus and the joy of a life lived for God and the joy of being with God for all eternity, we too will be able to push through all earthly obstacles. We have to look at the finish line and the glory that awaits us. So this is a moment for you to find new strength and hope to endure and overcome (Hebrews 10:35-36; James 1:12). Today whatever setbacks you have faced, whatever trials you are going through, whatever storms may come, be determined always to persevere. Travel light by getting rid of everything that would weigh you down. Run your own race. Always keep your focus on Jesus: repent for where you have relied on yourself and not depended on Him, and receive His love afresh for you. He wants to strengthen and restore today. He wants to give you the grace to keep on persevering.
