Why you should keep on going

Perseverance is the act of persisting, continuing or repeating behaviour. As we have been learning, there is a lot of positive attitudes, inspirational ideas and goal setting, etc. However, perseverance is essential if you want results.

We believe that 99 percent of faith is perseverance, as without this we cannot succeed. What is the point of:

• Having a positive attitude if we easily lose heart when trying to achieve our goals?
• Having an inspiration without persevering to materialise it?
• Having a plan but not acting on it?
• Being motivated today and discouraged tomorrow?

Perseverance is the key that pushes us to keep on fighting and not give up. It is the difference between success and failure. For example, research shows that Spain has one of the worst student dropout rates.

According to statistics, 36.3 percent of students drop out of school when they turn 16. Only 43 percent of those who start a course finish it. At university, only 40 percent of the enrolled students graduate. Needless to say those who start learning a language or going to the gym give up half way.

Concerning faith there is no difference. How many people start a purpose but don’t finish it? The Lord Jesus himself teaches us that perseverance bears fruit, and that in every four people, three give up: “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” (Luke 8.15) All successful men and women were able to persevere.

Perseverance should be second nature to us; it should show in our spirit and our behaviour, making us tough and enabling us to rise above obstacles and keep going in the face of difficulty.

Everybody has dreams and goals to achieve, but only those who persevere until the end will make their dreams come true. “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”
(Hebrews 10.36)

May God bless you all abundantly,
Bishop Edir Macedo