Finding Perseverance

Perseverance - Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

FINDING PERSEVERANCE IN JAIL

We find perseverance to be one of the main focal points for Anchor Ministry lately. Most of the time it is John meeting with inmates, trying to encourage them to stay strong and focus on the Lord and not the things that are going on around them. That can be difficult for these men because of all the darkness that surrounds them. They experience so much depression and anger that it is hard for them to see any light at the end of the tunnel. Many things keep them distracted from God and His promises, including the way they are treated by inmates with other religious beliefs. John has to reminded them over an over again to persevere and keep moving forward, choosing a life that is honoring to God. This is not easy to do!

FINDING PERSEVERANCE IN LIFE

John also has to stay focused. He recently had a pretty extensive surgery on his elbow, losing 90% of the muscle and use in his right hand. This surgery was done only to stop the deterioration, not to fix it by any means. They told him he would have an excessive amount of pain for quite sometime. Boy were they right!! The pain and the recovery process has made him second guess if he should have done the surgery at all. John has really had to focus on the Lord for strength and the promises the Lord has for him. He constantly tries to remember that this is all temporary and he will get brand new elbow in heaven.

The bible says:

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." -Revelation 21:4 (NASB)

 

KEEP GOING, DON'T GIVE UP

There are so many trials we all face on a day-to-day basis. Life can be very trying. There are times when we want to give up and walk away from everything, sometimes even God. We will live with hopelessness, stress and depression (all of which are not from God) unless we let God guide us and we fully trust Him. As God's children, we are meant to live with hope, joy, peace and love.