21Qs - #21: What about Perseverance?

The 21st & last Q to consider is . . . Do we know what perseverance really is? And yes, with the challenges unfolding now - this is a good to know. So, please consider this. Most would say it is struggling through the whatever it takes so that we overcome the challenge that we are dealing with. But thinking on this – there is a lot more to it. For example, years back, Pastor Robert H. Schuller shared the words . . . Tough times never last, but tough people do. Or there are those who would talk on perseverance as being a mix of patience, persistence, tenacity, etc. Like what Winston Churchill once said, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”

But as I think on all of these – and yes, these are all a part of the 'doing what you have to' so you can get to what you want, we need to realize that it [perseverance] is personal, and it is our unique approach to doing what we have to so that we achieve our desired outcome.

Why? Consider the following . . .

Our specific mindset and our physical status will be the difference between how I get through a extremely tough situation verses how you would. It comes down to the choices we make, the pain we take and ultimately, the sacrifice we are willing to make. Now, take these words and consider the challenges that may be in your years ahead. Will you be tied up in the trunk of a kidnapper's car, or stuck out on a deserted road in the middle of a snow storm or prisoner – locked up against your will? Maybe you are stuck in a dead-end job or maybe you are struggling with cancer, or what if you have a horrible car accident and are paralyzed? The challenge can be in any form.

The reality will be in what you are willing to do in your challenge. Which brings us to now. Are you doing anything to toughen up, or to be prepared in some way for potential hard times ahead? I know when I was becoming an adult, I never thought about perseverance or even preparing for hard times. For the most part, I was lucky but I did have a few events unfold that really knocked me down. I had to work my way through those and learned the hard way. The question for you . . . do you feel lucky or would you rather be better prepared for what may be ahead?

If I could do it over – and my recommendation for you . . . it would be this. Know that everyone will have tough times unfold and some will be caught in the fight for their lives. And since we know that there will be challenges ahead, prepare for them. Ask yourself these questions: How is my mindset? (am I struggling or am I distracted by anything, is my faith foundation strong, do I have a good perspective on the wide view of life). How is my health? (am I in the shape that I should be, do I need to change my eating habits, do I need to exercise more). If there are any issues here, pursue plans and actions to address and to resolve these. In doing this now – before you are caught up in a tough situation – does allow you to control your pace going forward. Embrace early an approach to life that has you learning, growing and prepared as best you can be, Make sure you are confident in yourself, one who will do what is needed – especially when times are tough. And remember that those around you are motivated by what they want. Always help others when you can but ensure that the right things in life, that you want to pursue, are not sacrificed because of others or of events that want to overtake you [because too many don't think, don't prepare and don't persevere – not because they don't want to, but because they don't have the mindset, strength and commitment to do so].

Thanks for considering all of the above and don't forget . . . 2 Corinthians 4:8

“We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed.”

And FYI: WomensDay.com also shared these words (below) that I thought went well with all of the above. Even when it feels like we can't push on anymore, we must remember that nothing can break us forever when we have God looking out for us.