Monday Memo 1235: The Power in Perseverance

 

The pursuit of purpose is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. It’s not fueled by bursts of passion but by the endurance to keep going when passion fades. Perseverance is like a muscle that carries you through seasons when progress feels slow and results are invisible. Without it, purpose remains potential; with it, purpose becomes power—eventually.

Every person God used in Scripture endured seasons of waiting, opposition, and hardship. Joseph endured betrayal and imprisonment before ruling Egypt. Moses spent forty years in the wilderness before leading Israel out of bondage. David ran from Saul for years before sitting on the throne. Their callings didn’t protect them from difficulty—it prepared them for destiny. Perseverance forged their faith and refined their character, and it kept them on course.

Purpose always requires endurance because purpose always involves process. We live in a culture of immediacy, but God works in seasons. You cannot microwave maturity or shortcut spiritual growth. Perseverance is what transforms vision into reality and potential into impact. It is faith stretched over time.

My years as an associate pastor are well documented in my books and writings. For the 11 years that I served in that capacity, I spoke from the pulpit two times—and the second Sunday was the last Sunday I was at the church! I had almost 600 Sundays to consider what I would do when I did get a chance to speak regularly—and that’s exactly what I did. I read, studied, practiced on my small home prayer group, and visualized myself before large crowds. When I was “released” to speak, I did most of it to prison audiences. But I faithfully persevered, and today I have more speaking opportunities than I can handle—along with something to say.

Paul understood this truth. He faced shipwrecks, imprisonments, and rejection, yet wrote, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). The phrase “I press on” implies resistance—it’s movement against opposition. Purpose is rarely convenient. It’s forged in perseverance, not comfort. When you decide to endure, you’re declaring that obedience matters more than outcome.

Perseverance also teaches dependence. When strength runs out, grace takes over. God doesn’t expect you to endure in your own power. Hebrews 12 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who endured the cross “for the joy set before Him.” Jesus didn’t persevere because the journey was easy—He persevered because He saw the purpose beyond the pain. When you keep your eyes on Him, your endurance draws from His example, not your energy.

Sometimes perseverance means standing firm; other times it means adapting wisely. It’s not stubbornness—it’s steadfastness. It’s the determination to keep moving in the right direction even when progress is slow. Every act of perseverance strengthens spiritual resilience. Each time you endure, you prove that your faith is rooted in conviction, not convenience.

The prophet Habakkuk wrote, “Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3). That verse has encouraged many believers like me to stay steady in the gap between promise and fulfillment. Waiting is not wasted time when God is the one doing the refining. He’s preparing your character for the capacity your calling requires.

When you persevere, you don’t just reach goals—you become the person God intended you to be. The waiting season shapes the working season. Perseverance builds patience, strengthens faith, and deepens gratitude. And when breakthrough finally comes, you’ll recognize it not as luck but as the harvest of endurance.

So keep going. When fatigue shouts “stop,” let faith answer “forward.” When progress feels invisible, remember that purpose is still in motion. Perseverance is not glamorous, but it’s glorious in its results. The greatest victories in life are often reserved for those who refused to quit.

Reflection Questions

1. What current area of your life requires perseverance instead of new passion?

2. How have previous seasons of endurance prepared you for what you’re facing now?

3. What promise from Scripture can you hold on to as motivation to stay steady?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the grace to persevere when progress feels slow. Strengthen me to keep walking by faith when I can’t see results. Fix my eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Help me finish my race with endurance, faith, and joy. Amen.

Application

Identify one area of your purpose journey where you’ve grown weary. Instead of trying to escape it, ask God to renew your strength to endure it. Take one step of obedience this week, no matter how small. Remember: perseverance is not about pace—it’s about persistence. Keep walking, and your faith will find its reward.