Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7 (KJV)
If you have worked toward a goal, you know some things are quickly obtained while others may take a little longer. That’s when perseverance becomes necessary to reach the finish line.
To persevere means to continue in some effort or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. To be steadfast in purpose.
In spite of has been my word(s) for a while. In fact, this post is an “in spite of” moment. Though I’m late, I made it! Psst! February has been that kind of month. 😊
STEP 4: Perseverance
As I thought about this step, I wanted to know the difference between perseverance and persistence. I found out persistence can be negative, while perseverance can be positive.
For instance, when we hear of a persistent child, we usually associate them with not listening when they are told no. Not taking no for an answer is acceptable if you’re trying to achieve a good outcome. Not so good when someone harasses you for whatever reason.
On the other hand, perseverance refers to people who have endured hardships or difficult circumstances to achieve their goals.
Examples in American History
The Wright brothers worked on their plane for four years before taking the first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903
According to The Franklin Institute, it took Thomas Edison and his associates two years (1878-1880) to invent the incandescent bulb. Of course, that was after working on 3000 ideas to go about it.
Western writer Louis L’Amour’s manuscripts were rejected 200 times before Bantam Publishers gave him a contract. After selling 330 million books, he became their best-selling author. I have quite a few in my library.
Moses led a passel of people through the desert for 40 years in spite of their constant complaining.
Paul finished his race in spite of the beatings, stonings, and rejection by his own people.
Jesus fulfilled the Father’s will in spite of rejection by His own people, false accusations, beatings, and the cross.
Wrap-Up
I hope you garnered a basket of courage from the examples given above. A goal worth achieving is going to take time and effort. To succeed, we must keep pushing ahead in spite of the obstacles.
Keep moving forward.
Winner
Congratulations to Melissa Henderson for winning Sandra Byrd’s devotional!
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
Good afternoon! The third step in 5 STEPS to Success in 2025 is Encourage.
Encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope – Merriam Webster Dictionary
Everyone likes a little encouragement now and then, right?
In fact, we need encouragement because we live in a world of comparisons. We compare food, books, movies, clothes, and achievements. This competitive society often leaves us feeling less than. How can we not think life isn’t fair?
That is not an encouraging opening. But as I researched how encouraging others affects us, my mind kept circling back to why we withhold our encouragement. So this post isn’t like the first two, but a needful reminder to be on our guard when we can’t offer congratulations for a job well done or encourage another on their journey.
Let’s look at why we may feel unable to offer encouragement.
Reasons We May Withhold Encouragement
The first two reasons that leap to mind are jealousy and covetousness
Jealousy – envious of someone’s accomplishments or possessions
Covetous – not only jealous but also a resentful longing for what they have
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
Other reasons for withholding encouragement may include an injustice or what we perceive as an injustice. Author Sandra Byrd shares a perfect example of this in her one-year devotional.
“The runners did not start at the same place—some were farther ahead than others, and the final racer seemed to be starting way behind. Their starting spots were staggered. It seemed unfair. I looked it up, and the staggering was actually a means to make the race fair. Each runner’s race was marked out, and by staggering the lanes, it ensured that the runners on the outside did not have to run farther than those on the inside.” Experiencing God’s Love, A Year of Abundance | Sandra Byrd | Used by permission
Think about that for a moment. When I read the devotion, I questioned my judgment. How many times have I misjudged a situation because I perceived an injustice?
If we believe we are created by God and our purpose is found in God, then we should also trust His ways are just.
My journey is not your journey. We all have our roads to travel. Mine may be more circuitous than yours. You may reach the end before I do. That is definitely true when it comes to writing. 😊But the Lord is Faithful and True. He is a just God, and He is on this journey with us.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Deuteronomy 32:4
Something to Ponder
What if Moses was jealous of Joshua? What if Peter had been envious of Paul? Now, think about what these four men accomplished by running their own race. Moses helped Joshua. Peter spoke of Paul in his letters. All four finished their race!
Truth
Yes, things do seem a little distorted at times. Just as we cannot trust our emotions, the same goes for our sight. We are not God. We do not see the same picture. Let’s trust the Lord, obey His commandments, and encourage one another! Even when that encouragement seems to stick in our throats, do it! I promise you’ll feel better. 😉
Giveaway
I’m offering an ebook copy of Sandra’s devotion. Leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. U. S. entries only.
And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 11:19 (KJV)
The Israelites were to teach their children about the ways of the Lord and what He had done for them. As a child of God, the life we live is our story. We should share our journey with others as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
Track
The second step in our 5 STEPS for Success in 2025 is Track.
Webster defines Track as an awareness of a fact, progression, or condition. It also lists to keep track of something. Merriam-Webster
Tracking our blessings can be beneficial to our health. Recalling God’s past provisions will lift our spirits, give us hope, and grow our patience. Try it and see if you don’t feel better. Our testimonies of His goodness also benefit our families and churches.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV)
On the other hand, forgetting God’s blessings robs us of joy, hope, and peace as we fret over our problems. It also robs others of hearing the truth about God’s love.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (KJV)
Think about the last time a song ministered to you. More than likely, that song was a story of someone’s loss, heartache, or victory. The lyrics blessed you because the writer took the time to write and share their story. An untracked story is a lost story.
I am ashamed to say I have not written down every blessing. I often wonder about those I have forgotten. Could they have helped someone in their time of need? More importantly, have I treated the miracles of God as ordinary things?
What to Track
Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites were called to remember the promises of God. Question: If the Creator of the Universe gives us an answer to prayer, a dream, or a lesson from our daily activity, why would we not want to write it down so we can remember and share it with others?
Here are a few suggestions we can track this year. You can add more if you like.
Family History God’s promises to you and your family Blessings received Prayers answered
Ways to Track
Keep a journal Notate a Bible to give to your children or grandchildren Take study notes to pass down to someone If you paint, draw, or write songs or poetry, tell the story behind it
Why Track
As a witness to the goodness of God As a reminder of God’s faithfulness in times of hardship
But I’m not a writer, you may say. That’s fine. You don’t have to be a writer or understand all grammar rules. Keep a record for yourself and your family, or tell the storyteller in your family so they can write it in the genealogy records.
Okay, now that we’ve discussed the spiritual side of tracking, let’s talk about the physical side.
Something Happens When We Write.
Researchers suggest handwriting improves brain connectivity. Dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, is also released. If that’s true, why wouldn’t we want to spend several minutes a day with pen and paper? Especially when we tend to forget things as we age.
Our brains need the exercise.
Remember multiplications and musical scales? We practiced until it felt like our heads would explode. The truth is repetition builds bridges between synapses. Once that bridge is built, it’s hard to forget. Memories are what we have learned. They are also the way we retrieve that knowledge.
As we age, we lose memory if we don’t care for ourselves. We are often encouraged to learn a new language, play word games, or learn a new instrument. Why not add handwriting scripture and tracking blessings to that list?
With all that learning and exercise, researchers recommend we spend less time in front of our screens and limit our sugar intake. All are great ideas to increase knowledge and care for our brains.
Finally, going back to our main scripture. When the Israelites failed to recall God’s law and blessings, they became independent of Him and fell into idolatry. Today, we may not have golden idols in groves, but when we fail to acknowledge God, we look to ourselves for provision. And I daresay there are quite a few idols we can entertain in our hearts. Tracking our blessings, especially during a blessed season, keeps our hearts humble and our focus upward. Let’s track those blessings!
Happy tracking, beloved!
Your Turn
Do you track your blessings? Write scriptures? What would you add to the list to help recall the blessings of God and exercise your brain?
Articles to Read
What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain – Stanford Center on Longevity
The Simple Act of Daily Writing Can Dramatically Improve Your Mental Health – Allison Fallon
The Power of the Pen: How Handwriting Enhances Brain Connectivity – Neurosceincenews.com
Why Writing by Hand is Better for Your Brain – Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. Psychology Today
Gail Johnson 