2 Peter 1: 6
“and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,”
Continuing on in Peter’s list of traits that a mature christian should have, today’s topic is perseverance. To persevere is to continue on longer than was expected.
The necessary trait within perseverance is patience. Patience is the attitude, while perseverance is the action. The right attitude keeps us from getting frustrated or discouraged. Without the patient attitude, we would get too tempted to quit.
Some plans take time. There are some goals that take a year or multiple years to be completed. We can’t be faint of heart. It’s like being on a long hike. We’re tired and possibly overheated. We can rest, but need to keep going.
We are to use perseverance wisely. Sometimes we need to assess the situation to see if it’s time to stop. Sometimes the situation isn’t working out because it’s not going to. Maybe the people involved aren’t ready or we’ve run into a wall. In this case, we shouldn’t persevere.
We need to pray within the situation. God will give us wisdom when we ask (James 1:5). The Lord wants us to be discerning in life. There are times He closes a door (Acts 16:6-10). To persevere on would be foolish.
When we get to a point when we feel we are at a task longer than expected, that’s when we pray. “Lord, do I keep going?” Sometimes we are to stop, other times we are to persevere. God’s grace closes doors to protect us.
Lord, thank You for Your guidance. Help us to recognize when to persevere and when to stop.