Perseverence

Perseverance is not just a motivational speech; it’s not just an abstract concept. It can be a concrete, step by step, executable plan. So, if and when you are overwhelmed and ready to throw in the towel, give these a try!
1. Turn your feelings into action. If you feel overwhelmed because a project is due... then DO the project!! If a circumstance is intimidating you, then take a deep breath and confront the circumstance. Instead of ruminating about the feelings, do something! Even if it is a small action, pick up the pen... type a word on the computer... get up off the floor! Steady, small actions will slowly reduce the big feeling that is paralyzing you. I know psychologists say that there are no wrong feelings, but, there are definitely unproductive feelings. So instead of spending more energy pondering how overwhelmed you feel, get up, take action. Write a “to do” list, and then do one thing on that list! Do what you dread, tackle what terrifies you. Turn your feelings into action. "Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find that you have crossed the mountain.” ~Author Unknown
2. Recognize that who you are and what you struggle with is not the same thing. Just because you have failed at something, doesn’t mean you are a failure. “Home run hitters strike out a lot.” ~Reggie Jackson In late 1918, Walt Disney tried to enlist in the military but he was rejected because he was too young. This was just the first of many failed attempts to come. Rather than accepting defeat, he joined the Red Cross and for a year he drove an ambulance in France. Unlike most ambulances which were painted camouflage, his was decorated with cartoon characters! Upon returning home, He began producing short animated films for local businesses, in Kansas City. It wasn’t long before his creative attempts rendered him bankrupt though. Not even 22 years old but Walt didn’t give up. He packed up his unfinished projects and his willpower and headed to California. With nothing else to lose except his determination, he joined forces with his brother Roy and secured a loan. They set up shop in their uncle’s garage and the rest... is history! What if the 16 year old Walt had decided he was just too young to do anything useful? What if he’d given up on his dream after his failure in Kansas City? What if bankruptcy was what he let define him? What if he’d decided to quit when he surveyed the very unglamorous and seemingly dead end surroundings of his uncle’s garage? Put simply, what if he’d quit? Oh, what we would have missed. The same applies to you, my friend. If you quit, the world will be lacking what you alone bring to it. Don’t quit. Even winners fail every now and then. Remind yourself of who you are in Christ. That sentence will always begin with “I am.” Remember, “I am” is not the same as “I feel.” Don’t let feelings define you let truth define your feelings. “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” ~John Albert Michener
3. Recognize that what you feed grows, and what you starve dies. A wise penguin in the movie Happy Feet once said that "‘Triumph’ is just trying with a little ‘umph!’" I love that! In his book, The Spiritual Life, Walter Elliott wrote: "Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." Both the author and the penguin make a wise point. What you invest in pays off! In other words, what you feed grows, and conversely, what you starve dies. If you continue to feed your feelings of wanting to quit, then those feelings will grow. If you continue to feed your low self esteem with, I can’t or it’s too hard for me, then your low self esteem will grow. But, if you begin to starve those things, then they will slowly die. So how do you starve those feelings and struggles? Speak truth to your soul. When you feel a big 'I can’t' coming on, starve it by showering it with the truth of, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”(Phil 4:13) When you feel like giving up, starve that thought with the truth, “We are not of those who shrink back!” (Heb 11:39)What are you feeding? Is it time for you to withhold nutrition and let that damaging self talk die? Abraham Lincoln said: ” I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards.” So, my friend, don’t turn back. Walk on... slowly but surely. The world needs what you alone can bring!
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal. 6:9