Saturday, April 7, 2018

Weekend Inspiration-Perseverance

Sticking With Our Faith


Perseverance is a good trait to have in life. Being able to stick with it when the going gets rough is an admirable trait. When I was still teaching, there was a lot of talk about teaching students to have "grit" which basically is what perseverance is all about. Learning new things, especially when the subject matter is not your favorite or something that doesn't come easily to you, can require much grit in terms of studying, work completion and application of new skills. But in the end the work pays off and the new material is learned. 

As Christians, we too need to have grit or perseverance. I believe this is what Romans 12:12 is talking about. Just as a student has to "stick with it" by doing the assignments, listening in class and putting in personal study time, so we as Christians need to keep hoping, praying, studying scripture and supporting one another in the faith. It is through doing these things that we can find the strength to be joyful and patient even during times of affliction, in whatever form that may take in our lives. 

As a teacher, whenever I talked with students about perseverance, I introduced it as one of the "habits of mind" that could help them as learners. There are many other habits of mind as well such as managing impulsivity, listening with understanding and empathy and thinking flexibly. But, perseverance is at the top of the list. Perhaps this is what Paul was referring to in Hebrews 12 when he says; "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

As we go through the week ahead, may each of us have strong faith "habits of mind" with the "grit" necessary to go forward in whatever trials or joys life throws at us. 

Blessings,
Debbie

*See all of the Habits of Mind here


4 comments:

Sharon said...

What a great post, Debbie! I really enjoyed how you connected the habits of mind, particularly perseverance, to faith. The insights that you shared will stay with me this week as I ponder them.

Debbie Styles Life said...

Thanks, Sharon. I enjoyed thinking back on the "habits of mind" myself. It was a good refresher!

Karen said...

I'm late reading this, but it is also very timely for me. The very large hospital where I work routinely terminates employees every quarter (struggling financially). This past week a close friend who worked in my building was let go and they have given me her job to do as well as my own, both were/are full time jobs. It's beyond frustrating for me, very difficult, and requires constant contact with the Lord to keep my attitude in check and also to call in the grit that you mention here. Run the race with perseverance...that's all I can do at this point. They have certainly thrown the trials at me, and I am mindful of how I respond due to wanting to be an image bearer for Jesus in my daily life. "Habits of the Mind" is a very timely concept for me!

Debbie Styles Life said...

Hi Karen:I'm so sorry that your friend lost her job and that you have been given her job on top of yours! These things that are happening all too often in the job market these days are both unfair and disparaging! I pray that both you and your friend can find some sense of peace in the midst of all these events! Retirement can't come soon enough, right?!