Perseverance, cannot remain a vague concept, if you want it to become a part of your life.
This week, I'd like you to review your "working" definition of perseverance, your integration of the word into your daily life (do I exhibit it consistently--if not, when am I least likely to persevere), and how it can help you become a healthy (or healthier) American woman in 2011:
My responses/examples are as follows:
1. My "working" definition of perseverance is connected to my resolve. If I am confident that God has asked me to do something, I will fight to do it. Most importantly, when I encounter (which I will) failure, difficulties, disappointments, or opposition, I will not fatigue or give up.
2. This year I've determined NOT TO WORRY or be anxious in 2011. This requires a "gut check" every few hours--especially as anything or anyone can trip me up. I know that if I will persevere, I will have an incredibly peaceful year. I'm determined to be consistent with this effort--and in fact, this goal is contagious (my husband and small group have joined me).
3. I exhibit persistence in most areas of my life. It has not always been that way. It is not a personality strength of mine; I have needed the Holy Spirit of God to change me. (As a sanguine, I am more likely to get distracted than to finish a race.)
Physical: One obvious integration of perseverance in my life is eating and exercise: I never take a vacation from healthy eating. My perseverance has to last only one day at a time. I need only plan ahead one day or week at a time. This has kept me consistent year after year after year. (Sobriety has taught me a lot!)
Emotional: Refusing to be anxious this decade! (The last decade was focused on refusing to be angry.)
Spiritual: Faith is the spiritual word for perseverance. Faith comes (Romans 10:17) from hearing the Word of God... If I stay consistently in the Word, I will have more and more and more faith!
Mental: Continuously reading books, taking classes, acquiring CEC's, attending seminars to improve my skills and ability to impact culture is non-negotiable with me. Online courses is a fabulous way to persevere in this area...it is very convenient and friends/family can grow with you!
Your turn to answer those 3 questions!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
My responses are as follows:
ReplyDelete1. My "working" definition of perseverance is to stay strong throughout my daily life no matter what comes my way by holding tight to The Word of the Lord and His truths for my life.
2. This year I'm determined to live by the Spirit by being a 'Gentle' woman of God. I'm determined to be loving and sweet, like Jesus, during all circumstances and to all people!
3. Physical: I'm going to be persistent, as always, with glorifying God through 'my temple' with what I eat and how I keep my body in shape.
Emotional/Mental: I'm determined to stay meek, tender, and graceful through all my emotional endeavors. I will keep my mind focused on the Father's heart for me and respond to all circumstance the way He would respond to me....with love!
Spiritual: I WILL READ MY BIBLE EVERYDAY FOR ATLEAST 5 MINUTES, BE IN PRAYER ATLEAST 5 MINTUES, AND WORSHIP THE LORD THROUGH PRAISE MUSIC ATLEAST 5 MINUTES A DAY!
1. My working definition of perseverance is to "stay focused." Using "focus" helps me to keep my three goals "faith, family, and future" always in the forefront.
ReplyDelete2. This year my goal is to balance each of the above so I am starting the day with faith reading and praying so that the days are smooth.
3. Often I can become more focused on one area than another, so I am memorizing a bible verse and then using it as a quick prayer or plea.
An educator and a planner I put the physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental in a quadrant:
Physical: As I exercise I reflect on the Psalms reading and offer Praise;
Emotional: As I study and pray I use the Old Testament reading and admit all my sins and short comings;
Spiritual: As I study and pray I use the New Testament reading to guide my prayer requests. No matter the book or chapter, there is always a connection between the reading and my requests of God.
Mental: As I go throughout the day I use the learning from Proverbs reading to guide my thoughts and thanks to God for my blessings.
My working definition of perserverance, Huh? Got Perserverance? So, to write a definition,
ReplyDeleteI goggled perserverance. Check out these quotes. A couple rang the bell of conviction.
"The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't. ~Henry Ward Beecher
Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain. ~Author Unknown
Although I don't like to admit it, I have a big strong won't or as I commonly can it I have a case of the I don't want to. Then the first 2 words you can make out of willingness is "Will I". And I stumble on pebbles all the time trying to get over the mountain.
So my working definition is I will keep putting one foot in front of the other and I will not give into the I don't want to, or give in to obstinance. I am willing to do what it takes even if I stumble, one foot in front of the other.
This year I have determined to "overcome" my compulsive behaviors which are numerous: rescuing which leads me to worry, spending to much which leads to guilt, eating to much which leads to guilt and frustration, lack of moving my body which contributes to pain. I join Becky in being determined to be consistent with my efforts.
I do not exhibit perserverance, many things derail me. Emotional and physical pain. The mantra or voice in my head "You've worked hard today so you deserve this." I need the Holy Spirit to change me to not be derailed.
Physical: Will I? Yes i will eat one day at a time planned meals paying attention to my body cues and not stuffing the food to deal with the emotion. I will not eat in my car or sneak food. Yes I will exercise a minimum of twenty minutes five to seven days a week. I will not let the scale determine if I have a good day or not so I will weigh only once a week. I will find an exercise I like that I can do when my knee pain is bad.
Emotional: I will feel my feelings instead of stuffing my feelings. When necessary I will write instead of eat in relationship to the feelings that drive me to eat such as the glad, sad or mad feelings. I will be accountable to my two friends and this group.
Spiritual: I will be in God's word daily and I will pray daily, I will go to church. I will serve by being an encourager to others with words of encouragement. My faith will increase to move the pebbles out of my way so my path will not be a stumbling mess.
Mental: I will stay engaged with learning as a nurse, as a mother of grown children, as a grandmother and as a wife.
Now I need to print this out as my blueprint for the new house God is building. Blessings Diana
Hi All: I think I'm enjoying reading your responses more than coming up with my own.
ReplyDeleteBeen a very hectic week with much opposition in my life toward these thing I am working on.
My working definition: Press On toward the goal.
Least likely area to persevere: In prayer. I lose hope and give up quite often.
I see perseverance playing out in these ways:
Spiritual--again, working on prayer.
Physical--daily exercise and working harder on my diabetes and arthritis problems. Keeping up with medical appointments as needed.
Emotional-Keep my emotions in check by calmly taking things to God.
Mental: Not worrying about what other people think.
W4-Persevere
ReplyDeletespring board scripture: Luke 21:19 amplified
By your steadfastness and patient endurance you will win....
Persevere: this year will mean
When I "Fail" I will get myself up and Say " I can do it today. Lord, help me find a better way to manage it all."
Gang - As I read your comments, I am inspired to persevere. Thanks for sharing. My boss recently said that I like to work on projects I enjoy, not the ones that need my attention...hmm. This certainly relates to persevering in things that are difficult or challenging. When I am good at it, it's easy for me but when it's hard or I am afraid I'll make a mistake I have hesitation or I just quit. My working definition right now that I am practicing to increase my perseverence is asking "When will I get it done and how committed am I to this? do I OWN this goal?" ...this is building my resolve and commitment level. I can't just drop whatever it is, my devotion/prayer time, my project, my workout, my eating plan, my listening to my husband etc because it's hard or difficult or because I am tired (my favorite excuse:-) Over the last 4 weeks God's Word has been such a huge source of strength... Hebrews 10:35-36 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Persevering with you, Tracy in AL
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that...Mickey and Tracy!
ReplyDelete