2014: The Year of Perseverance!

With the changing of calendars comes a change in focus for me in this new year - from joy in 2013 to perseverance in 2014.

Perseverance can be described as 'steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.' Synonyms of perseverance include persistence, tenacity, determination, staying power, steadfastness, purposefulness; patience, endurance, application, diligence, dedication, commitment, doggedness, tirelessness, stamina.

There are several verses in the Bible that mention perseverance, but the one that stands out to me the most is Romans 5:3-5:

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."~ New King James Version (NKJV)

I'm mostly focusing on the fact that perseverance produces character and character produces hope, but here are a couple of other versions to compare with. I find it interesting that joy is a necessary ingredient on the path to perseverance. I think I may just need it!

"There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!" ~ The Message (MSG)

"Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us." ~ Amplified Bible (AMP)

It will be interesting to see what lessons I'll learn and how this year of perseverance will affect me and my future. Stay tuned...