Persistence toward a worthy goal will always pay off. Even if the goal is not reached, there will be benefits realized.
The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary says that persistence is the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people.
When we try to do something and don’t see results, it’s easy to get discouraged and to give up. There is a time and a place for that, and you can ask God for wisdom to know the difference. But many times, the best thing to do is not give up, but to keep working toward the goal, slowly and diligently. Results often come over time, one little success built on top of another little success, until it becomes a significant success.
Aesop’s story of the Tortoise and the Hare makes the point. Can you imagine how hopeless it might have felt at times plodding along as a turtle when the rabbit could run so fast and so easily? Yet the turtle was successful.
When giving advice to beginning writers or playwrights, the comedian Wood Allen said “80 percent of success is showing up”. He meant that if you are going to success at something you have to do it. The quote has been widely repeated, maybe because there’s a grain of truth in it.
What are some of the things you know are good and that would like to achieve? Are you being persistent in them? How can you train yourself in being more persistent?
Maybe you can break a large goal into small goals, or set a time when you will work on it. An example might be if you want to exercise more, set a small goal. Instead of working out an hour ever day, may try working out 10 minutes ever day. You can try that on any goal or work you have, try breaking it into small pieces so you can see that you are having some success.
In many cases, persistence is more important than intelligence, strength, or looks. That’s great news! You have a great deal of control over your persistence!
The Bible in Galatians 6:9 says: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
In due season we shall reap!