2 Ways to Develop Perseverance

Are you looking for ways to develop perseverance in your life? I want to share with you two biblical ways to develop perseverance in your Christian life based on Hebrews 12:1-2.

What Is Perseverance

But what is perseverance, and why do we need to develop it?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, perseverance is “the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.”

Synonyms of perseverance are steadfastness, dedication, determination, endurance, grit, stamina, tenacity, persistence, resolution, and purposefulness.

What is the definition of perseverance in the Bible? According to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the term “perseverance” occurs 13 times in the New Testament. The noun always translates the Greek word hypomone. In hypomone there is the idea of energetic resistance, steadfastness under pressure, and endurance in the face of trials.

The Bible Gateway Dictionary of Bible Themes defines perseverance as “enduring in a course of action or belief. In its negative sense, it can mean being stubborn; in its positive sense, it means a continuing commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

And according to Holman Bible Dictionary, perseverance is “maintaining Christian faith through the trying times of life.”

Here are two biblical ways to develop perseverance in your Christian life based on Hebrews 12:1-2. #perseverance #faith #Biblestudy Share on X

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2 Ways to Develop Perseverance

If we want to keep our faith till the end, it is crucial to develop perseverance in our lives. Life on this earth is full of hardships, delays, disappointments, difficulties, and opposition. We need to develop this special strength of character to keep trusting God and live by faith.

The author of the Hebrews urges the recipients of his message to run with perseverance the race marked out for them.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)

There are two ways to develop perseverance in the race of life we can glean from this text. They involve on one side getting rid of everything that hinders and on the other side, focusing on the right thing.

Throwing Off Everything That Hinders

Here are 3 types of unnecessary weights we need to throw off if we want to persevere in our life of faith.

1)Worries and anxieties. Our worries can be a significant burden that robs our peace and distracts our minds from serving the Lord. The Lord invites us to unburden in His presence by casting our anxieties on Jesus and leaving them there. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

2) Disappointments. Unprocessed disappointments can be an enormous obstacle to maintaining our Christian faith. They relate mostly to our past and can make us stuck in the present. We need to learn to acknowledge our hurts and bring our painful emotions regularly to the Lord, letting Him minister to us and heal our soul wounds.  “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14)

3) Fixed expectations. They relate to the future and can also hinder our walk with the Lord. We need to learn to let go of any fixed expectations and imaginations about how and when things will happen in our lives and leave this entirely to the Lord. He knows best what to do and when to do it. We can trust His good plan and purpose. “The Lord will guide you always.” (Isaiah 58:11a)

Additionally, the author of Hebrews encourages us to throw off  “the sin that so easily entangles.” We need to be constant in resisting our sinful tendencies and not give away to the first temptation. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit to gently convict us and lead us back to repentance.

Unprocessed disappointments relate to our past and can make us stuck in the present. #encouragement #faith #Biblestudy Share on X

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

The second way to develop perseverance in our Christian life is by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and the perfecter of faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our greatest example and model.

Fixing our eyes on Him means thinking about Him, involving Him in our daily lives, and reflecting on His words and deeds.

We can keep our focus on Him by practicing these 3 main spiritual disciplines.

• Bible study. Regularly feeding on God’s Word will help us keep our focus on the things above. It is good to include daily Bible reading in our schedules, but also we can participate in Bible studies (online, in person, or with a book).

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

• Christian meditation. It is not enough just to read God’s Word; we need to let our minds dwell on His words and remember them throughout the day. Christian meditation is the practice of remembering the Lord, His promises, and deeds. We learn to pay attention to Him and to align our thinking with the truths in His Word.

“In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.” (Psalm 119:55)

• Prayer. If we want to develop perseverance, we need to connect to the Source of all strength. Prayer is our communication and fellowship channel through which we abide in the Lord and learn to seek His presence and listen to His voice.

“Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.” (Psalm 143:1)

Fixing our eyes on Jesus means thinking about Him, involving Him in our daily lives, and reflecting on His words and deeds. #focus #faith #Biblestudy Share on X

Three More Ways to Boost Your Resilience

In my guest post at Embracing the Unexpected, I have some wise words on how to boost your resilience and tackle whatever life throws at you. I share several intentional practices that will help you respond to life’s challenges with strength.

A Powerful Resource to Help You Persevere in Challenging Situations

Check out this devotional to help you find new courage and strength in different challenging life situations, containing devotions, focusing on 7 major areas of life, selected scripture, and scripture-based prayer after each devotion.

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources and encouragement to help you persevere, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu

Extinguishing the Spirit of Fear: 30 Devotions to Battle Fear and Anxiety by Devotable

Before You Quit: Everyday Endurance, Moral Courage, and the Quest for Purpose by Doug Gehman

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

Women of Courage: A 40-Day Devotional by (In)Courage

Great Lives: Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance (Great Lives from God’s Word) by Charles R. Swindoll

Mining for God’s Gold in Life’s Dark Valleys by Margaret E. Head

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Transforming Your Thought Life  by Sarah Geringer

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Your Turn

What do you need to throw off today so you can develop perseverance? Share in the comments. If you found this post helpful, please comment and share it on social media. Thanks!

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