Perseverance is not giving up. It is persistence and tenacity, the effort required to do something and keep doing it till the end, even if it's hard. Perseverance is the quality of those who persevere —continue to do or try to achieve something despite difficulty or discouragement. A close synonym is persistence. Perseverance can also refer to the act of persevering, as in Only through hard work and perseverance will we be able to achieve our goal—it will not be easy.

• Tessa Emily HallContributing Writer
• 202120 Jan

Life is unbearable at times. The punches it throws at us often knock us down and drains our strength. There comes a time in every person’s life when, in the midst of a trial, we reach a point when we feel as though we simply cannot carry on. But when we lack the motivation to get back up again, we must cling to the hand of the only One who can pull us to our feet. We can gain supernatural strength through relying on God’s Word, and we can also receive inspiration and motivation to keep going by surrounding ourselves with perseverance quotesas we face these trials.

What Is Perseverance according to Christianity?

Perseverance, in general, refers to the grit we possess while continuing to press forward, despite opposition. This determination can be applied to the perseverance we display while reaching toward a dream or goal, such as graduating college or landing a job position. The journey may not always be smooth sailing, but perseverance is a required trait for the one who hopes to reach the finish line.

As Christians, we must display this same kind of determination when it comes to our faith. After all, God never said that living for Him would be easy. We will face persecution. Rejection. Failures. The temptation to blend in with the world and fall away from Christ. It’s during seasons of hopelessness when we may lack the motivation to further the Body of Christ and grow in our walk with God. These trials may even cause us to question God’s goodness, love, sovereignty, faithfulness—and perhaps even His mere existence.

When this happens, let’s not be surprised; after all, the Bible warned us that we would face this kind of suffering and temptation.

So, when it appears as though the enemy of this world is defeating us, how can we gain the strength and motivation we need to persevere?

The first thing we can do is to take a look at what the Bible says about perseverance.

What Does Scripture Say about Perseverance and Trials?

Does it often feel as though you are struggling to run a race while carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? If so, I’d encourage you to apply the principle found in Hebrews 12:1-3:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

The race we must run as a Christian involves furthering His Kingdom. We have been commanded to love God, to love others, and to fulfill our part in the Body of Christ. If we lack the perseverance to carry out this mission, perhaps we need to do as the above verse says and “strip off every weight that slows us down,” which includes sin.

We were never intended to run our race while carrying the weight of suffering and sin; after all, isn’t that why Christ died for us? He bore our sin and suffering on the cross, and because of that, we are free to run our race without this unnecessary baggage to slow us down.

Not only that, but we must apply the other part of this verse which states that we must fix our eyes on Jesus. Through Christ, we have already attained victory. Let’s follow His example of enduring suffering, trusting that joy will be found on the other side.

God never promised we would have a trouble-free life; He did, however, promise that good could be resulted because of these trials. Let’s take a look at what the following Scriptures say about this:

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” James 1:12.

^“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love”Romans 5:3-5.

“And we know that God causes everything to work togetherfor the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”Romans 8:28.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing”James 1:2-4.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up”Galatians 6:9.

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved”Matthew 24:13.

The only way that God can transform these trials into good is if we continue to persevere. The following verses reinforce the importance of perseverance as a Christian:

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere”Ephesians 6:18.

“As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good”2 Thessalonians 3:13.

“We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy”James 5:11.

How Do Christians Persevere in Hard Times?

Sometimes we grow weary too easily because we’re trying to fight battles on our own. Why is this, though, when the power that resurrected Christ resides within us? Perhaps we need to apply Exodus 14:14, which reminds us that “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” We have also been instructed to rely on God’s strength rather than our own:

Perseverance Antonym

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong”2 Corinthians 12:9.

We, too, can “take pleasure” in our weaknesses during hard times—because it is then that we develop muscles greater than our own. But this only occurs if we become dependent on God during uncomfortable times. And if we begin to lose hope and question God’s sovereignty, we can follow the principle found in Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

How do we “acknowledge God?” By seeking Him first in the midst of chaos. We need to continuously feast on His Daily Bread; otherwise, how else are we going to receive the spiritual nourishment we need to keep running?

We can also be encouraged to persevere when we surround ourselves with other believers. God never intended us to walk through life on our own. Ecclesiastes 4:10 reminds us of how other believers can encourage us to keep going when the going gets tough: “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Maybe this is why God stresses the importance of gathering with other believers—because He knows that, without this community, we may become too weak to carry on. Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

15 Perseverance Quotes to Strengthen You

“Often, we endure trials seeking God's deliverance from them. Suffering is painful for us to endure or to see those we love endure. While our instinct is to flee trials, remember that even in the midst of suffering, God's will is being done.” —Paul Chappell

“The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.” —Jonathan Edwards

“Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God's faithfulness. Rather, we should actually be glad for them. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him so that our faith will not fail. Our trials keep us trusting; they burn away our self confidence and drive us to our Savior.” —Edmund Clowney

“The flower that follows the sun does so even in cloudy days.” Robert Leighton
“Endurance comes from minimizing excess baggage and maximizing efforts to achieve God’s battle objectives.” —Jerry Wragg

“God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty.” —Peter Marshall

“The race is not always to the swift but to him who keeps on running.” —Unknown

“The man who has an easy way through life, will be spiritually weak, flabby and impoverished. He won't be able to do all that God wants him to do. But the one who has gone through trials and testing successfully, will be strong and capable of doing all the will of God.” —Zac Poonen

Reverence Dance

“It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.” —Henry Ward Beecher

“Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise physician prescribes because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires.” —John Newton

“Endurance is the ability to weather a trial without resorting to sinful means of deliverance.” —Lou Priolo

“Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.” —George Whitefield

“I learned as never before that persistent calling upon the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is impossible with God. For Christians in these troubled times, there is simply no other way.”—Jim Cymbala

“We must wake ourselves up! Or somebody else will take our place, and bear our cross, and thereby rob us of our crown.” —William Booth

“To me, it has been a source of great comfort and strength in the day of battle, just to remember that the secret of steadfastness, and indeed, of victory, is the recognition that ‘the Lord is at hand.’' —Duncan Campbell

For the Christian, perseverance requires faith. It requires trusting that, with God’s help, we will reach the end of this trial. Not only will we overcome, but we will somehow witness good become birthed because of the suffering.

God is with us. And instead of simply watching us suffer, He invites us to draw near to Him. To receive the empowering love and strength that conquered the grave. He invites us to release this weight we’ve been carrying and allow Him to fight these battles on our behalf.

If we do this, we will then receive the motivation we need to persevere in doing God’s will. And this determination will then bring us into God’s promises, according to Hebrews 10:36:

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Inside Creative House

Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who wrote her debut novel when she was sixteen. She is now a multi-published author of both fiction and non-fiction inspirational yet authentic books for teens, including her latest release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE (October 2020, Ellie Claire). Tessa's passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. She is guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, teaching at writing conferences, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is to connect with readers is on her mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: www.tessaemilyhall.com.

per·se·ver·ance

perseverance

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Perseverance

(See also ENDURANCE.)

come hell or high water Come what may, no matter what; also in spite of hell or high water. P. I. Wellman in Trampling Herd (1939) claims the following as the origin of the expression:

“In spite of hell and high water” … is a legacy of the cattle trail when the cowboys drove their hornspiked masses of longhorns through high water at every river and continuous hell between.

Whether originally a cowboy expression or not, hell and high water symbolize any difficulties or obstacles to be overcome. The expression has been in use since at least 1915.

die-hard A hard-core supporter; one who struggles and resists to the bitter end, particularly against change or innovation; literally one who dies hard. This expression reputedly had its origin in the Battle of Albuera (1811) where the 57th Regiment of Foot of the British Army fought desperately to maintain a strategic position. In the midst of the fighting, Colonel Inglis is said to have urged his men on by shouting “Die hard! 57th, die hard!” The last-ditch courage and stamina with which the 57th fought that day earned them the nickname the “Die-hards,” by which their regiment is known to this day. Use of this term dates from at least 1844.

don’t give up the ship Keep fighting or trying, hang in there. Although this expression was not new at the time of the Battle of Lake Erie (September 10, 1813) when Commodore Perry adopted it as his battle cry, it was he who popularized the words and made them memorable. The expression has extended beyond its naval origins and application and is now currently used to give encouragement to people in all walks of life.

happy warrior One who is undaunted or undiscouraged by adversity, a diehard; often used of a politician who is a perennial candidate for nomination or election to high office. The nickname “Happy Warrior” was first applied to Alfred E. Smith, Democratic candidate in the presidential election of 1928.

He [Alfred E. Smith] is the “Happy Warrior” of the political battlefield. (Franklin Delano Roosevelt, New York Times, June, 1924)

The term was later applied to Hubert Humphrey, Democratic candidate for President in 1968 and many times a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. The term was first used in the conventional sense of an excellent soldier, a fighter—a meaning which is reflected in its figurative application to political “warriors.”

hold one’s ground To firmly maintain or defend one’s position; to resist the pressure to compromise one’s ideals. Although this expression can refer to maintaining ground literally, as in a battle, it is more frequently heard in regard to defending a philosophical stance. The two levels of usage are related, however, because even in war there is a philosophical basis for defending one’s ground, meaning territory, land, etc. This expression and its variants keep or stand one’s ground appeared in print by the 17th century.

It is not easy to see how it [Individuality] can stand its ground. (John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859)

keep a stiff upper lip To keep one’s courage when confronted with adversity, to remain resolute in the face of great difficulties, not to lose heart. The allusion is to the quivering of the upper lip when a person is trying to maintain control and keep from crying in the face of danger or great emotional stress.

“What’s the use o’ boo-hooin’? … Keep a stiff upper lip; no bones >broke—don’t I know?” (John Neal, The Down Easters, 1833)

The expression dates from the early part of the 19th century.

keep one’s chin up To maintain one’s courage and resolve, to keep one’s spirits up, to keep one’s head held high. This American expression has been in use since at least 1938.

Keep your chin up honey. (I. Baird, Waste Heritage, 1939)

keep one’s nose to the grindstone To persist in an unpleasant task; to labor continuously, especially at hard, monotonous work; to labor unceasingly; to drudge. The allusion is perhaps to laborers hovering over grindstones or whetstones to sharpen tools made dull from constant use. The expression and variants, which date from at least 1532, originally meant to oppress someone else by exaction of labor.

keep one’s pecker up To keep one’s chin up, to hold one’s head high, to keep one’s spirits or courage up. In this British slang expression pecker means ‘spirits, courage.’ It probably derives from the term pecker for a bird’s beak or bill. Cockfighting is sometimes cited as the source of the phrase, since a gamecock’s pecker or beak sinks when he is tired and near defeat. Thus, the expression literally means to keep up one’s beak (British slang for nose). This of course cannot be done without keeping the head and chin up as well. The expression, which dates from at least 1853, is avoided in the United States, where pecker has an altogether different and vulgar slang meaning.

nail one’s colors to the mast To fight or hold out until the bitter end; to refuse to compromise, concede, or surrender; to persist or remain steadfast, especially in the face of seemingly overwhelming opposition. It has long been nautical custom for a ship to signify its nationality or allegiance by flying that country’s colors (i.e., flag) from its tallest mast. In battle, a captain could signal his surrender or defeat by lowering the flag. If the colors were nailed to the mast, however, they could not be lowered, implying that surrender was not possible.

If they catch you at disadvantage, the mines for your life is the word, … and so we fight them with our colours nailed to the mast. (Sir Walter Scott, The Pirate, 1821)

praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition Keep up the struggle, don’t give up. This expression, although rarely used today, was the title of a popular song during World War II. It has been attributed to Chaplain Howell Forgy, who was on board the cruiser New Orleans in Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack in 1941. During the assault the chaplain helped fuel a counterattack by carrying ammunition to the ship’s guns. He is purported to have said the now famous words “Praise the Lord, boys—and pass the ammunition.”

stick to one’s guns To stand firm, to persist in one’s point of view, argument, or beliefs; not to yield or give in, to hold one’s ground.

An animated colloquy ensued. Manvers stuck to his guns. (Mrs. Alexander, Brown, V.C., 1899)

Of military origin, this phrase was originally to stand to one’s gun(s), meaning literally to stand by one’s gun, to keep fighting no matter what.

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