Persist

As some of you know, I am on the verge of my first children’s book being published. I would not be honest if I didn’t say there have been days when I just wanted to quit. The story that I’ve written has been on my heart for a long time. It has gone through several revisions. Self-publishing is a whole other story. Thankfully, I found a teacher who has helped me finally overcome some of my fears. I am thankful for family and friends who kept prodding me on.

Sometimes it seems easier to give up!!!

This idea of persistence has really hit me this week.

I was told of a friend who is on a heart/lung machine waiting for a new lung.

Another friend has one health issue after another. She was told she would be on oxygen for the rest of her life.

Friends and family who have health concerns but can’t get the answers they need.

My waiting for my book to be published or thinking I can’t really do this is nothing compared to these things.

One of my favorite Bible books is the book of James. The first chapter has not always been. Look at verse 2 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” What?? It’s hard to see much joy in our troubles. But, what’s being said here? Look at verses 3 and 4 “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance (persistence) has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance (persistence) is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

I don’t know about you, but I want that kind of faith. I don’t want to give up and miss that mark. Can I do it alone? NO!! But, with God’s spirit, I can. I can trust Him to lead me where I need to go and lead me to do what I need to do. I can ask others to pray for me to give me strength and for persistence to hold on.

(This prompt was written for Five-Minute Friday writing group.)