1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Every year, I select a word to intentionally focus on for 365 days. This year is “persistence.” I was getting frustrated with something and wanted a quick resolution. I was reminded of these verses in 1 Thessalonians. We could get into the nuances of what Paul intended, but, at the end of the day, we are called to focus on God and be persistent in our faith, even in challenging times.
Today, we get accustomed to getting what we want, when we want it. The problem is that it does not teach us persistence. When we are used to things happening at a moment’s notice, it is hard for us to slow down, be patient and put in the hard work things require. Not to mention, when we believe we have failed, we may lack the ability to give ourselves grace to get back up and try again.
Persistence is not a trait that we are born with. It is something that we all can achieve if we work toward it and ask God to give us the strength to persevere.
It’s always exciting to start a new goal, whether it is weight loss, building strength, or starting a new job, but after the excitement of the newness wears off, staying motivated can be a challenge. Stay focused on God and ask Him to give you persistence; you can continue to work hard and do what He has called you to do!
Have an awesome weekend!
Coach Michelle
