"Keep On Persevering"

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."  Ephesians 6:18

The other day when I was at the nursing home for "church" service, I had to close the door entering into the room to give us some privacy and cut down on the noise.  When I tried to close the door, it wouldn't close.  There were boxes in the way.  I had to move a box.  It still wouldn't close.  I moved the box over some more.  Still it didn't close.  I had to try again.  Finally, it closed.  The Lord impressed on me that sometimes you just need to persevere and not give up in order to accomplish the desired task. 

Too many times we throw in the towel, throw up our hands, just simply quit or give up instead of persevering until we "finish".  There are four things, in my opinion, that cause us to give up and quit. 
1)  A negative attitude.  It is that, "I can't" spirit.  We don't think we can, so we don't. 
2)  Impatience.  If it doesn't happen the first time we try, we get impatient and give up. 
3)  Discouragement.  "I have tried and it never happens."
4)  Distractions.  Something else captures our attention and we lose focus of what we are trying to do.

We must guard against these.  Especially when it comes to our spiritual life.  We must combat them.  We must seek the Lord's strength and grace to persevere and not give up.  We will always have to cast down negative thoughts-- but cast them down.  We will always have to war against impatience-- but don't stop warring-- persevere even in your warring.  Discouragement will always try to come and remind you of past attempts and failures-- but don't listen.  Distractions will be at every turn-- especially when you get determined to preserve.  But stay focused and single minded.  

Remember this when facing the things that would stop you from persevering-- you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you; the Lord will empower you to do what you need to do; you don't persevere by yourself-- the Lord is with you; everything that you need to continue is made available to you through Jesus.

Have a great day.  Don't stop persevering.