Lighting Up Our City Video 7: The Importance of PerseveranceSample

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

A runner was training for an endurance race. Before each workout, she strapped heavy weights around her ankles. Other athletes were perplexed, wondering how she could win a race carrying that extra burden. They responded with a mixture of shrugs, shaking heads, and even laughter at the apparent absurdity of these methods. Then race day came. Our runner came to the starting line with no ankle weights, dashed to an early lead, and outpaced her competition all the way through the end. The added weight had strengthened her in ways the competitors never imagined.

In James 1:2-4, we read that the trials we face in life help strengthen us in this same way. They build in us not stronger muscles but the spiritual ability to persevere or keep going through difficult circumstances. In fact, these verses tell us that perseverance has a God-designed purpose: to help us “be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

As we learn to trust God and move forward with faith in the face of trials, we are growing stronger spiritually. Our perseverance helps us become all that God intended us to be.

These verses from James add two important points:

First, we should “consider it pure joy” when we face all types of difficulties because of the work it is doing in us. Like those ankle weights, these trials build our spiritual endurance and strengthen us for the race ahead.

Second, James tells us to “let perseverance finish its work.” The let is an important verb. We have a choice. We can feel sorry for ourselves because of our trials, we can give the challenges we face the power to cripple us, or we can let the trials finish their work in us, resulting in increased strength in our walk with Jesus.

How have you seen trials make you stronger? Praise God for those opportunities for growth and ask Him to show you how the challenges you might be facing right now can help you become even stronger spiritually.

By Dawn Tolbert