Posts Tagged ‘Perseverance’

Why Can’t LIFE be Easy?

Posted: April 27, 2025 in Inspirational
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I wrote a blog post a few years ago called Why can’t life be easy? because it kind of fit where I was at that point. What I found interesting today is after reading it again, it seems to apply all over again, not just to me, but to all of us. 

None of us understand the ebb and flow of life and why things change the way they do; both personally and professionally. I found the worst part is how those changes affect us.  These waves roll in and they roll out with some just being a minor annoyance while others will knock us off our feet. 

I wrote this post just to serve as a milemarker along your journey of life to remind you NOT to give up. Stay your course and be strong for the people that need you. I hope you enjoy the new and improved version of Why can’t life be easy…

Have you ever wondered why God allows or even requires our Christian walk to be filled with pain, problems, unhappiness, and sometimes even misery? Because I have… 

Why does God put so much emphasis in scripture on our persevering, or striving for the prize and winning the race as Paul writes in Philippians? 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:14

I believe that all the lessons and experiences we learn through lifes challenges; like those “Iron Sharpens Iron” moments like we read in Proverbs 27:17 have a purpose. I am referring to the the falling down and getting back up opportunities, but most importantly, trudging through the adversity and our ability to keep our eyes focused on Him in spite of whatever is set against us.

Let me give you one Old Testament reference and I promise to be quick.

Do you remember the Israelites in Egypt? That group of people who, as we recall, spent 400 years in exile and servitude to the Egyptians. You may forget this point, but they went to Egypt voluntarily and were promised by God to be made into a great nation (Gen 46:1-4) and then almost went extinct during that 400 years. During that entire time, no word from heaven was heard and once Moses, the deliverer was announced, no explanation was given.

Why do I give you this story? because if you signed on with Christanity thinking you can just skate until He returns, you are sorely mistaken. I hope this is not the first time anyone has told you that.

The Christian walk is a marathon that God intended specifically to be ALL about the journey. 

In life, God focuses on how WE handle problems we face in this world. Are you the kind of guy who gives up and just walks away? Or do you get back up and keep forging ahead? 

Guys, I believe that the men who pick themselves up from their problems and still keep their eyes on Him… are the ones that I firmly believe God will choose to surround Himself with in eternity. 

Look…we know life is hard…but you can’t just give up and let it overwhelm you! You must fight back…

One of my favorite warriors of the Bible was David who wrestled with these very same questions. Look at what he says to God in Psalms:

Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  Psalms 10:1

The reality is that David, who is literally in the lineage of Christ, struggled just like you and me. He wrestled with pain and suffering and he cried out to God continuously…and do you know what? 

God did NOT forsake him.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, Lord, for you have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalms 9:9-10

Guys, this blog is titled, “Why can life be easy?” because there are times it seems like the only luck we have is bad. But I encourage you today to remember that your main job is this difficult life is just to trust and believe that God will do what He says He will do. Claim these verses above because you are not alone…I know that for a fact-

Guys, enjoy your journey and keep the faith because ultimately you will overcome.

Until next time Guys…

Perseverance

Posted: March 12, 2023 in Inspirational
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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…

Perseverance

Posted: September 5, 2014 in Inspirational
Tags: , , , , , , ,
0

perseverence

I was walking through our plant the other day 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 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 thing 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 I wanted working for me”. 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:

Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

Wow…I know the word and I use the word all the time but when I saw what it meant, I was kind of shocked. Perseverance was the word that was meant for our 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 important, 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 mightily 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 on 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…