-Romans 8:25
A few posts back, I wrote about having hope in the midst of change. Change is inevitable right? But what happens when things DON'T change right away? You are hoping and praying for something to happen, but you aren't seeing anything happening. So what do you do now?
Persevere.Let's look at the word perseverance... in the verse quoted above, the Greek word is Hupomone and it means "a patient, steadfast waiting for." Websters defines it: "to maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly."
When you are truly seeking God and praying for change, but not seeing it, maybe God is simply wanting you to persevere. Most of us see trials as a bad thing. But in James 1, it tells us that trials produce perseverance, which is a good thing! Sometimes, we need to STAY in our trial so that God's work in us will be perfected and completed. Then, it says, we will lack nothing.
So how do we persevere?
-The biggest thing is to continue to pray, seek God, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will give you the things you need to get through.
-Continue to be obedient and submit to the things God wants to do IN you and THROUGH you.
-Change your attitude. Stop complaining. Or take it a step further and replace the complaining with encouraging and power-giving scriptures.
-Remember that change IS inevitable. Whatever you are going through is for a season and, one day, it will end.
God's delays are for a reason. In those times where God simply calls you to persevere, (as it's been said) you need to grab the end of that rope, tie a knot, and hold on tight.
