Let’s start first with the dictionary definition of perseverance:

Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

What about a biblical definition?

Steadfastness under pressure and endurance in the face of trials.

Interesting that they aren’t that different. Typically when I look at secular and biblical definitions of a word, there are some not-so-subtle nuances between the two.

While looking more closely at this powerful word makes sense as we begin a new year, that’s not what brought me to this topic.

We recently began a multi-month expositional study of the book of James, which means we will look at it verse by verse. That may sound like a grind, but it’s one of the best ways to understand what the original writer (and God) intended for us to learn. And we learn it in the proper context.

So in our pastor’s intro to this wonderful book, he told us that the book recognized four stages James went through and that we as believers will also go through.

1. Unbelief
2. Belief
3. Obedience
4. Perseverance

I’ve been a believer since I was 14 so I know I at least advanced to stage 2. While I will never claim to have completely nailed the whole obedience thing, I do believe I’ve made progress in these later decades as I’ve learned the benefits of trusting and obeying God.

So, where did that leave me? Yep – Stage 4 – Perseverance.

What comes to mind when you think of that word? Does it make you feel positive and hopeful and maybe even proud? Or does it invoke dread and suffering and probably a good amount of sweat?

If you look at those two earlier definitions, they start our really positive, don’t they? Who doesn’t want to be persistent and steadfast?

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve usually landed on that more positive side of its meaning.

But on Sunday, I forced myself to think more deeply about what it meant to be in the Perseverance Stage. I didn’t really like where it took me, but I had to admit that it was an apt description of my life at this point.

Of course, it took me to the second part of those definitions – difficulties, lack of success, trials. We just can’t have one without the other it seems.

First of all, I think most of us are persevering more than we realize. Life in this fallen world demands that we do. We keep going. We tackle the trials and setbacks as they hit us because we often feel there’s no other option. But persevering for the sake of persevering can leave us exhausted, empty and distrustful of God.

So how do we find a silver lining through these inevitable hard times? The Bible has so many verses that tell us why we need to persevere, and what our rewards will be. There’s no better source for understanding the benefits of persevering than God’s Word. Here are just a few texts that illustrate that encouraging, biblical truth.

• Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
• Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
• Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
• Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
• For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36
• If we endure, we will also reign with him. 2 Timothy 2:12
• And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

What do we gain? Let me summarize.

• A Crown of Life
• Character
• Hope
• Perfection
• Completion
• Endurance
• All God Promised
• Reign with God

Not a bad list, is it? Regardless of which stage you find yourself in, the goal is to progress to Perseverance eventually, because that’s where the greatest rewards lie. If you’re struggling with a difficult season now, remind yourself why you shouldn’t give up. Trust God to walk you through it and into all the glorious promises he’s laid out for us.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58