Life has a way of building certain characteristics within us. Resilience, determination, grit, and perseverance are just a few that come to mind when I think about personal characteristics that have been developed over the years through life experiences.
One of my earliest encounters with perseverance was as a young, classically trained dancer learning to master fouetté (fwe-tay) turns en pointe (on tips of toes). Fouetté turns are hailed as some of the most difficult movements in dance, and mastery is no small feat.
After months of practice, many failed attempts, and at times, wanting to call it quits, I did it. What felt like years to learn was executed in seconds.
In full transparency, in those moments of preparation, it didn’t feel good. But choosing to persevere through the process led to my gain.
What Defines Perseverance?
While many of us have a myriad of personal experiences with perseverance, the definition of the word may not be as familiar to us.
According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of perseverance is “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” Easier read than done, right?
For you, your persistence to persevere may be waning. You may be tired of trying.
Four Scriptures about Perseverance
As with any trial and test in this life, the Bible provides guidance for what you are going through and reminders that Jesus persevered too. In this article, we’ll look at four Bible verses about perseverance.
1. James 1:12: Steadfast under Trial
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
This Scripture is a solid reminder that in this life, we will have trials. We will have persecution. We will encounter the many flaws and faults of the human experience. And yet, through it all, we are promised the crown of life from the Lord for those who love Him.
I don’t know about you, but when I think back through the depths of my own sorrows and pain along my journey through this life, I’m comforted in knowing that my perseverance toward living God’s way does not appear hidden or void from the Almighty.
2. Galatians 6:9: Let Us Not Grow Weary
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
If we are honest, striving to do the right thing or to always be the bigger person can be exhausting or daunting in a world where others seem to delight in your suffering by causing you harm, inflicting pain, putting you down, or creating challenges for you.
The “in due season” reference should provide hope as a believer that at an appointed time by God, your commitment and perseverance to doing good will not be in vain.
3. Romans 5:3–4: Rejoice in Our Sufferings
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope….”
Suffering is not a foreign concept when it comes to being a follower of Christ. Theologically speaking, suffering is a shared experience between Jesus and His followers growing us closer to God, to give Him praise and adoration amidst hard, difficult, or trying times.
The power of perseverance is keeping our eyes on His will, His ways, and His glory. This Scripture illustrates how endurance, character, and hope are connected through the experiences suffering can bring.
We can choose to trust God in difficult times because we know that He will ultimately use our suffering for good.
4. Romans 12:12: Posture Through Perseverance
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
It is important to remember that in the tension of perseverance through whatever may come, our posture matters to God. Remaining joyful through sorrow, patient over anxiety, and steadfast in prayer when the temptation to isolate from Jesus looms over you.
As a child, I would hear the elders within my local church say, “I’m pressing on toward the mark.” Little did I know then that this phrase was a direct example of speaking from a posture of perseverance. The successes of this world are no comparison to the rewards from our heavenly Father.
Biblical Examples of Perseverance
The Bible is not short on accounts of perseverance. To name just a few, Job, Paul, and Jesus are three examples of perseverance in action in the Scriptures. Each with their own bouts of trials, tribulations, troubles, and tests, yet they gripped steadfastly to what was on the other side of the suffering.
Perseverance for Job, Paul, and Jesus meant focusing on a belief so strong that imprisonment, loss of loved ones, and even death couldn’t extinguish their fire of faith in God to complete His will.
Many of the women of the Bible (such as Mary, Hannah, Deborah, and Esther) demonstrated remarkable courage as well.
Press On
Continue to press on, friend. In prayer, ask Jesus to be your strength during difficult and challenging times. Pray for His wisdom, discernment, and guidance to aid you through adversity. Consider creating a cadence of prayer and meditation, focusing on the Scriptures shared above. Ask a friend or spiritual mentor to join you as a prayer partner.
May the joy of the Lord be your strength, and in due season, you will reap. Don’t give up. The kingdom is rooting for you.
