And to Self-Control, Perseverance

2 Peter 1: 6b “and to self-control, perseverance,”

      Lord, this morning, I confess that I want the benefits that come from perseverance without having to go through what I would need to go through to obtain those benefits, and I fear I am not alone.  We live in such an “instant” society: texting, cell coverage, instant messaging…instant food!  Perseverance takes time and sometimes a LONG time to develop.

      When I am encouraging my students to not give up in their search for outside scholarships, I always tell them that You want us to learn perseverance and encourage them to not give up the search, but to keep on keeping on.  When I learn of someone struggling in a permanent relationship, I always encourage them to persevere.  If a student comes to me and starts talking about dropping out of the semester because it is too hard,  they are homesick, or they just don’t seem to like the school, I always encourage them to stick it out, at least until the end of the semester…to persevere.  When my children come to me for advice because they are in trials either in their education, job search, or just in parenting, in so many words I encourage them to persevere.

      Lord, when it comes to me…do I desire to persevere too?  I guess I have because I am still married to a wonderful man after 40 years, and we have had our share of trials.  I am still at the same job in the same place after 14 years, and there have been trials there too (small ones, thanks to You).  I still have a wonderful relationship with all of my sons, daughters, and grandchildren by Your grace and perseverance.  But perseverance does not come naturally to me.  It is something that must be “added” as I walk with You.

      Lord, I DO want to persevere.  Help me when I become weak and impatient, to remember the benefits of perseverance and to press toward the goal.