I was walking through our facility recently and noticed an employee really struggling with a machine he was trying to operate. This guy was working hard, sweating, and really under some pressure but what I found strange was that his boss was nowhere to be found. As I surveyed the area closely, my eye came across his supervisor far off in a corner…almost hidden. When I went to see what he was doing, he told me he had his eye on this guy from a distance and he wanted to see how this young man would handle this equipment problem on his own.
I turned around and looked back at the employee again with his head underneath the machine trying desperately to get the equipment to run right and then I looked back at the supervisor…Clearly, he noticed the look on my face and he said, “this is the kind of problem that can produce perseverance in someone”. I said, “perseverance?” where did that come from?” He said, “I have been doing this a long time…
In my younger days, I would run right over right and help the newbies every time they needed help…but I learned over time, this method really didn’t help them…What they needed was to persevere through the problem until they figured out the solution on their own, then they became the kind of operator we wanted working here”. I said, “Very impressive…and I agree with you”. But of course, that got me thinking about his lesson to this young man. So I went to the dictionary and I found the word; perseverance:
The continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.
I know the word and I use the word but when I saw what it meant, I was kind of shocked. Perseverance was the word that was meant for this Iron Sharpens Iron blog audience…this is the foundation we are built upon because perseverance is exactly what God wants Christian men to have…
A little fortitude…a little toughness and a whole lot of perseverance.
Even more importantly, God has something to say on this subject and I found the scripture to back this up for us:
Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
So now it makes perfect sense right? Do you remember that poor guy at the beginning of my post that was struggling to get that piece of equipment to run? Well ultimately… he was successful and that success has made him a better employee…all because of the simple test his boss put him through…but I will point out one key point here…
HE DID NOT GIVE UP…He kept at it, even though it was hard…
And that is why God tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. He already knew before you were made all of the various predicaments you were going to find yourself in that ultimately would be opportunities to show that you can “get up off of the mat” when you are knocked down. So don’t just lay there…get up!
If you are a Christian, you will be tested. If you are tested, then hang in there because you just read a few lines ago that this same testing and adversity will produce a character quality that is huge for you…perseverance…
Because when you finally achieve the ability to “Keep on, keeping on”…in other words, perseverance. God will truly look down from heaven and smile at you…why?
Because He understands everything YOU went through to get there and He admires the person you became as a result…
Let me leave you with this verse:
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
Until next time guys…
Iron Sharpens Iron, Men Strengthen Men 