Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Perseverance. It is the one word I keep thinking about, When you are tired and worn out, when you are wondering how you can keep going physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually, it is the one thing you need.

We can taste and see that the Lord is good now and again, but unless we are willing to REMAIN in the Lord through perseverance during the trials, we cannot be permanently changed into Christ’s image. Perseverance is the difference between sometimes partaking in what He provides and actually BECOMING like He is with constant access to His power. That is how perseverance leads to godliness.

I believe that God truly values our perseverance. He knows we are like grass, here today and gone tomorrow. He knows we do not have, in our mortal frames, what it takes to keep going during the hard times. So just keep going – reach out and up to Him one more time. Let Him take your hand and just hold on to Him. It will all be worth the effort when you see Him face to face and you are as He is.