Perseverance means to abide by something strictly. It is the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult. It is said that perseverance is the essential quality for success over aptitude and raw talent. According to Thomas Edison perseverance, along with hard work and common sense is what is needed to achieve the highest of goals.
An example of perseverance is when Moses and the Israelites journeyed through the desert for forty years, enduring a myriad of up and downs, yet trusting in God’s promises as they stayed the course. Anyone who has ever watched a toddler learning to tie their shoes has witnessed perseverance. Couples, Priests or Religious who celebrate milestone anniversaries are also powerful examples of perseverance. Even seeing a weed spring-up in a parking lot or a flower growing out of a rock wall, inspire thoughts of perseverance.
So, if perseverance is so important, how do we do it? How do we persevere in our day-to-day lives? How do we maintain our relationships? Fulfill our obligations and finish the job? How do we meet our goals?
- Make the Commitment
Commit and take responsibility for the goal. - See the Big Picture
See the big picture. Yes, you need to do the little task at hand, but you can’t get lost there. When things are tough, we often focus on ourselves and our struggles. When we look up to see the big picture, we realize that our lives are not just about us. Seeing the big picture inspires us to keep going knowing we are part of something bigger than ourselves. - Be Grounded
Staying grounded and knowing your why helps one to persevere through thick and thin. Knowing your values, trusting in what’s important and believing in the goodness of God will help to keep you focused without losing site of the end goal. - Be Courageous
Many people think that courage is the absence of fear. They are wrong. You can’t have courage without the presence of a fear-inspiring challenge. A courageous person is one who feels the fear, moves toward it, and proceeds ahead despite the fear. A person with courage is able to persevere.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test,
that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
– James 1:12
