Perseverance is defined by Dictionary.com as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
The concept of perseverance is easier to talk about than experience. It can be difficult when you are in the middle of a trial and it seems no matter which way you turn you hit a wall, and discouragement is on you like humidity on your skin in the summer time. Even though it is hard, there is a great feeling of victory when we have persevered and come out on the other side after overcoming difficulties. Sometimes we may not overcome the way we intend. In those times, there are discoveries about ourselves or about the process from which we can learn.
I love to be outdoors. Our whole family does, which is a lot of fun when we get together with our adult children. Some of our family activities have included doing active things like kayaking/canoeing, rock climbing (the real kind on a mountainside with ropes) and hiking. One of my favorite hiking trails is at Harpers Ferry, WV. It has a moderate-to-hard slope. Along the way, there are lots of trees and foliage and you might be able to see some deer. At different parts of the trail you can hear water from streams below or from mountain runoffs.
There are slightly level spots and there are steeper parts that really get your heart pumping and air coursing through your lungs. Having had a lung issue for the last three-and-half years where sometimes I feel short of breath even just being at home, the hike at Harpers Ferry really puts my lungs to work! Each time I hike there, I always want to quit, even after just a fourth of the way up. But as I continue on and each time I overcome a hard slope, it feels good to have persevered. And the reward --THE reward is at the top. From the top, you can see the town below and if you wait long enough, the train sometimes runs through the town. From that perspective, it looks about as big as a model train going around a Christmas tree. You can also see where two rivers converge (I learned that's called a confluence btw). It's such a peaceful, beautiful view and after the long difficult hike, it's super exhilarating and you are glad you pushed through.
I do realize that at certain times in life, challenges are not by choice like my hike. As mentioned in an earlier blogpost, my family of origin faced difficulties fleeing our birth country from Communism when I was only 10 years old. Just imagine yourself all of a sudden having to leave your home and everything behind and, let's say, go to Russia. You don't speak Russian, although the thought of being able to speak Russian seems kind of cool. You'd feel like a spy. Okay, okay, I've watched too many James Bond and Jason Bourne movies :) I digress. You would have to take a lot of time and major effort to learn the language, the way of life and all the idioms/slang, etc. This is so you can communicate and do things like go to the grocery store, rent or buy a house, find a job, or continue going to school/college like some of my siblings and I did. They faced hardship, discrimination, setbacks, etc. Both of my brothers earned Ph.D's through a lot of hard work and perseverance. After thoroughly learning the English language, academic writing is a whole new ball game at the Ph.D level. While working on their dissertations, they had to write, edit and re-write, write, edit and re-write, above and beyond that of a native English speaker, but they pressed on and overcame.
My siblings and I learned perseverance from our parents. If you are a parent with children still at home, I would encourage you to let your children fail in some "safe" areas and use those experiences as teaching moments. By safe I mean non-life-threatening situations. Ask questions about what they thought went wrong and challenge them to make corrections. Encourage them to try again, and again, and again. And if they choose a different route, discuss what they learned from the previous experience. Try not to be so quick to jump in and rescue them. Yes, we love our kids, but by rescuing them, we may stunt their growth in the area of perseverance. We can also stunt their decision-making or problem-solving skills, or their ability to recognize cause and effect.
In general, children are in a "bubble" when they are still at home. We love them, feed them, look out for them and protect them. But based on life experience you know that at times life can be really challenging. As parents, we can't always be there to rescue them. And as mentioned earlier, sometimes rescuing them is not in their best interest. This is where introducing faith in Jesus to your child at a young age comes in. We teach them to go to the Lord in prayer for other people and for themselves. We teach them faith in the Lord so that they can rely on Him for strength when they face difficulties or temptations. He will give them the peace and strength to persevere and overcome. They say, "Actions speak louder than words." Or, as my wonderful husband always says, "More is caught than taught." One important thing we can do as parents is to model that faith when difficulties arise. It's not a one-time decision of accepting Jesus, but it is to be lived out in the work place, on the road, at the store, with your neighbor, at home with your spouse, and especially when you think no one is looking. Children see and hear everything. Everything!
If you are struggling with a major difficulty or setback right now, my heart goes out to you. I want to encourage you not to give up. If you run into the proverbial brick wall, turn and go a different way. Keep going, seek advice from godly friends, and seek God. He will provide peace and direction. Like NASA's hope for the rover, you can "make amazing discoveries" about yourself through the process.
I want to end with this encouraging verse that has been helpful and encouraging for me from Romans 5:3-4 (NLT): We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Some translations use the word perseverance.) And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
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