by Brandy Webb

We must have endurance if we want to reach any type of goal. When I am getting my garden ready, I can’t just throw some seeds outside on top of the ground, and hope that I will have an awesome garden. No, I have to till the ground first, make rows, then plant the seeds, and after that is done, there is watering, weeding, and waiting for growth. Work and endurance, the desire to keep going even when we are tired and frustrated, have to go together in order to create a good work.

I know that it is hard to keep going when it just doesn’t seem like there is an end in sight, but I am learning that sometimes God wants to see us persevere. I do understand the fact that when one works hard for something they take better care of it. Therefore, I am realizing that even though He can make everything better in a blink of an eye, He chooses not to, so that we have a better appreciation for Him and our accomplishments. This will lead us to be better stewards of our blessings.

The reward on the other side will be worth all the time spent on moving forward. The hardest thing is not to allow ourselves to give up and lose hope. Remember, “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Rom 5:3-4). Also, hold fast to the truth that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). So, put your trust in Him, be willing to endure, and keep running the race of faith because what we go through now is refining us and creating in us a great work that brings glory to God.