Getting up when knocked down#2
The power of perseverance
By Pastor George Lehman
Hebrews 10:36(Amp) – “For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, (PERSEVERANCE) so that you perform and fully accomplish the will of God and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.
“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.” – William Feather.
You are not giving up; you are getting up!
Perseverance is not really needed when everything is great, when life is fine, no storms, all is okay, work, kids, husband/ wife, life couldn’t be better
BUT O’ you had better hope that this quality called perseverance rises up in your life when times of Knockdowns, and heartache come
We cannot talk about getting up when life knocks us down without talking about PERSEVERANCE.
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Have you ever experienced so many problems and difficulties in your life that you didn’t think you can go on?
It’s incredibly difficult to keep pressing on when everything and everyone seems to be encouraging you to quit.
Unleashing the force called perseverance.
When the daily routine of life wears on us and especially when the unexpected rises up to knock us down.
Maybe you can relate to these scenarios. We all have our own knock=down stories to tell.
We need perseverance to keep going.
To persevere means: To persist in a state or undertaking in spite of counter influences, opposition or discouragement.
Perseverance in the bible is interchangeable: steadfast and endurance (Staying power)
How is it that some people seem to overcome, not just survive but actually thrive?
While others just collapse, even quit, under their steady pressure?
Perseverance is about more than repeatedly telling yourself to work harder and keep trying.
It is an attitude, an approach to life that can conquer seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
It involves faith, patience and character.
When perseverance is fully formed, it’s one of the most powerful forces you can unleash.
When life knocks you down, it’s one of your most important weapons for fighting back.
Perseverance does not simply ‘happen’, it’s a trait that must be cultivated.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (Amp) – And as for you, brethren, do not become weary or lose heart in doing right [but continue in well-doing without weakening].
You can develop and expand your ability to endure hard times by applying some of these strategies.
#1 Look for joy.
James 1:2-3 (NLT) – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance (Perseverance) has a chance to grow.
Psalm 119:143 (NLT) – As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.
It is possible to find JOY in what you’re going through.
#2 Seek out friends, mentors and role models.
Never forget, no matter how bad your circumstance, someone has been through this before.
1 Peter 5:9 (NIV) – Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Find people who can give you godly advice, maybe someone who has gone through similar difficulties as yours.
#3 Prepare to persevere.
When you’re fighting a tough battle over a long period of time, it pays to prepare.
Romans 5:3-4 (Amp) – Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance (Perseverance). And endurance (fortitude)Staanvastigheid develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
Spending at least 30 minutes each morning with uplifting worship, prayer and reading your bible will prepare you like nothing else will.
Romans 12:12 (Amp) – Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.
#4 Turn doubts into motivation.
Proverbs 17:20 (Msg) -”A bad motive can’t achieve a good end: double-talk brings you double –trouble”
Self-motivation means speaking Gods word positively and choosing to continue in faith until your breakthrough comes.
NB! Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you did.
#5 Its okay when you fail.
It’s tough to keep positive and keep going when every move you make feels like the wrong one.
Continual defeat can wear down the most optimistic soul.
If you’re tired of failing, remember a simple truth “Successful people have more failure than anyone else.”
The reason is people who persevere and grow through defeats (Knock-downs) are the ones who eventually succeed.
#6 Allow God to grow your perseverance.
Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, {and} steadfast spirit within me.
In a mysterious way, our troubles allow us to discover and develop reservoirs of strength and perseverance that most don’t realize they have.
When you’re trusting the Lord, He uses our struggles to expand our ability.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 (Msg) – I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.
Sometimes we need to be hurt in order to grow.
We must fail in order to know.
We must lose in order to gain.
Some lessons are learned best through pain.
No matter what has knocked you down never give up or quit.
Let perseverance be your engine that keeps you going.
In order to get from what was (the knock down) to what will be (your breakthrough). You must go through what is (that’s perseverance).
Please don’t forget Paul’s encouragement:
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (Amp) – And as for you, brethren, do not become weary or lose heart in doing right {that’s perseverance} [but continue in well-doing without weakening]
