Persevere again – surely not for the third week running?!? I’m not saying we need a daily ‘Shout Out’ from a cheerleader, to spur us on from the sidelines but personally I don’t think you can ever have too much encouragement to persevere.
We all have our different thorns to contend with – a challenging relationship or situation to live or work with. Demanding, testing or difficult relationships and situations can bring a significant amount of stress in to our lives. It can be draining emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually to have to deal with these things on a daily or regular basis. It takes its toll and at the start of the year, you may be wondering ‘Can I really continue like this?’ or ‘Something needs to change’.
Some situations on the mission field can’t change, it’s a fact we’re never going to get hot water here, so I have to find a way to deal with any stress that that might bring – it doesn’t bring much, apart from when I really want a long soak in a hot bath. However with relationships and certain situations, change can happen. The change isn’t often easy but change never really is because we have to choose to think, speak or act differently and that takes effort.
The change our God of transformation brings, may not be how or what we expect. He may challenge us to change ourselves and stay with that difficult situation, which demands us to embrace the grace he pours out into our lives. It’s not effortless and sometimes painful and that’s tough going.
As you consider what you are persevering with – is it time to speak up about an issue? Is it time to confront something you’ve been avoiding? Is it time to allow your heart or mind to be changed? Is it time to see something or someone in a different way or through different eyes? Is it time for a personal change?
Whatever you are persevering through today, be encouraged. God uses difficult situations to transform us into the people he wants us to be. Be encouraged, it may take time, it make take an intervention, it may take a change within yourself but change will come.
‘Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ James 1:4
SEEK SUPPORT: It’s also important to say if a situation is causing you a lot of stress and anxiety, perhaps leading you to feelings of depression – don’t delay to speak to someone who can support you and pray for you too. We are not called to the mission field alone, so don’t forget to call upon your senders to support you through tough times as that is their role and their calling.
