We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to dissppointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Perserverance (in the Greek Lexicon)
1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance
a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings
b) patiently, and steadfastly
2) a patient, steadfast waiting for
3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
Hello All,
The word perserverance is a word I believe God has given me this year in Guatemala. This word has kept popping up in my life here and when a friend told me about a week ago that God had given her that word for me I realized I needed to start listening. :) I got curious about the difference between perserverance, endurance and steadfastness so I decided to do a little research. That is what I gave you above. They are all synonyms :)
Recently I noticed how excited I had become about only having 2.5 months left in Guatemala. August 1 seems Oh so close now after 9 months! How I will rejoice in the homecoming but oh how I will mourn leaving Guatemala....such a mix of emotions. But as I get excited to come home, the Lord is whispering to me to not waste time and coast through these last 2.5 months here. It would be soooo easy to just pine for Aug. 1 and quit trying here. I leave in 2.5 months, what can happen in that amount of time? BUT NO! Time is outside of God! SOOO much can happen in a DAY, let alone 2.5 months! Who knows if I will even be here tomorrow!
So as a theme throughout this year God is reminding me to LIVE and CEASE THE DAY. All I have is THIS moment! Somtimes that is soo easy to do! When life FEELS good and we are on the mountaintop it is easy to cease the day and enjoy the moments. However, when life isn´t what we would like it to be....it´s easier to just put life in neutral and coast on through.
This verse about endurance encouraged my heart and gave me renewed hope! These last 2.5 months will probably be the hardest but the most fruitful in Guatemala! God has promised me the Holy Spirit and His love! It´s time to keep pushing through....which mostly means at work and in relationships here in Guatemala. My work situation this year has been a huge challenge, but I know God put me here for a reason....to grow, to learn to endure....but these things hurt. Sometimes I have to force myself to remember little moments of joy throughout my day when cultural misunderstandings and confusing relationships exhaust me and suck life out of me. I hold onto the promise that enduring this will produce character and character will strenghthen my faith...my hope of salvation!
¨Nothing great was ever done without much enduring.¨ -Catherine of Siena
¨Success is not final: failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.¨-Winston Churchill-
On the bright side....let me give some of the joys in my life right now:
1. SALSA! I have found a refuge in taking salsa lessons! One of my dreams come true! I absolutely love the community I have found at my salsa studio and their kindness. I knew I liked dancing...but now I KNOW I do. It might just be a little addicting :)
2. A wonderful friend from my hometown is in Guatemala this month with the World Race, Kathryn Law! God knew I needed some hometown Wyoming understanding and encouragment. :)
So I hope you can be encouraged by this verse on endurance! Let´s run this race....we know we have a sweet end brothers and sisters in Christ! PARADISE!
Again, I am always humbled when I am reminded of people back home and people I barely know who regularly lift me up in prayer. Thank you for your faith and faithfullness! Love you all and cannot wait to see you in person and share about my year!!!
