PERSISTENCE by Pastor Timothy Fortune

Persistent people are those who grab hold of something and don’t let go. Winston Churchill said, “The nose of a bulldog is slanted backwards so he can continue to breath without letting go.” Persistent people began their success where most others quit. One person with commitment, persistence and endurance will accomplish more than a thousand people with interest alone. The more diligent we work, the more difficult it becomes to quit. Persistence is a habit: so is quitting. Winners never quit and quitters never win. Charles Spurgeon said, “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” When Jesus said seek and you will find knock and it will be opened, I believe He was implying be persistent. Luke 11:5-8 records the story of someone that goes to his friend at midnight and asks him for three loaves of bread. The friend says, “do not trouble me the door is shut and my children are with me in bed. I cannot rise and give you bread.” Scripture says that not because of there friendship the friend gives the bread, but because persistence. Persistence looks past the present circumstance of trouble and hardship to the reward that lies on the other side. Jesus endured the cross not to see how tough He was because He knew that on the other side of this cross was a resurrection, a resurrection that would bridge the gap between God the Father and fallen humanity. Perseverance pays off. There are many stories of people that overcame difficult conditions and extremely complicated situations. They pressed through with sheer determination that I will overcome or die trying.

Your attitude and outlook will determine weather you look at the task in front of you as a problem or opportunity. Really most problems are just opportunities in disguise. Failure is the past of least persistence. Most people lose before they began because they have the wrong attitude. Having to face something that requires you to be persistence, chose to face it with joy knowing that God will bring you through. Don’t have a bad attitude making yourself and those around you miserable. Life is too short to be miserable.

Jesus said; “All things are possible to those who believe.” Your present circumstances do not define you as an individual. Trust God and go head long into the future knowing that He is with you and through Him you can overcome anything.