Are You Up For It?

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." - 2 Chronicles 15: 7

**Photography by Melissa Talbot**

If someone challenged you to do something difficult, I mean really difficult, would you be up for the challenge without knowing what it was ahead of time? Meaning, you would have to accept or decline knowing little to no detail of the challenge.

Moreso, would it help you to decide if you were told that the outcome of that challenge would be beyond your wildest imagination? What about now, are you up for it?

If I was asked if I wanted to face the challenges I am, a couple months ago, while being told what those things would be, would I have gone through it all? Truthfully, I don't know. Sometimes, it's just better not to know.

It's hard to not only take on a challenge but, also, have the intestinal fortitude to persevere in and through it. At times, it doesn't feel worth it when the pain and heartache seem to outweigh the benefits of sticking things out.

I hope for the best in every circumstance and determine to believe the good in each person. So, when I am faced with something that continues to be difficult, why persevere? Why not give up?

While I may not have certain expectations of the outcome, I have to admit that seeing some kind of positive progress would be encouraging.

Instead, you're left wondering if you missed something along the way - an opportunity to improve yourself or change direction in the midst of a frustrating scenario.

Yet, persevering in seeing things through, there's hope for a positive outcome. Plus, the possibility of something great coming out of a dire situation drives perseverance and can create an inner excitement and anticipation.

There are so many opportunities in life to stick it out and become stronger, better equipped, individuals for it. To decide to dig in our heels and turn up the staying power.

It's true. In my own life, as time passes by and some things get really discouraging and hard, it's my determination and strength that increases and I have fresh energy to keep going, along with reading what the Bible has to say about persevering.

The Bible speaks, many times, of the benefits of holding on and seeing things through. That it's you who will see the rewards because it will be you who is changed in the process of running the race to the end. That, in turn, will be a help and encouragement to others who are struggling in their own life situation.

There is a book called Romans, in the Bible, that tells us how we can expect our character and hope to build when we persevere. Romans 5: 3-4 outlines a few of the rewards as part of going onward and upward, saying, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." This is cause not just for celebration, but it should give us an expectation that things will get better as you hang in there and a zeal to experience a well lived life.

Encouragement for the week:

Ever wonder what the point of perseverance is? What if you gave up before knowing the outcome?

Is it better to cut your losses and exit a situation relatively unscathed instead of staying with power until the end?

If you are a Christian reading this, we have the joy of receiving great hope and blessings when we persevere in all things, difficult and easy.

If you are not a Christian reading this, you can look for Jesus and you will find Him along with the encouragement to persevere in any life situation.