The Need for Perseverance (Part 1)

In 2 Peter 1:5-8, Christians are given a list of seven characterisitcs to add to our faith. I have been particularly smitten with one of these over the others (realizing they are all important). This trait is perseverance. On this post I would like to define perseverance, and maybe throw in some quotes showing the pwer of perseverance.

Perseverance, and the idea of perseverance is found so many times in the Bible. Persevere is synonymous with persistence, overcoming, steadfastness, resolve, and endurance. In the Greek, most if not all of these words have the same meaning: to persist in a state or condition in spite of discouragement, counterinfluences, or opposition.

I have some interesting quotes from the secular realm showing how effective and necessary this quality can be.

The first quote is from a man who wrote biographies on two very accomplished men: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. When asked about what made these two men great, Napolean Hill would say

"I found no quality save persistence...as a source for their stupendous acheivements."

Another quote is from Carlyle saying...

"The block of granite which was an obstacle to the weak becomes a stepping stone in the pathway of the strong"

What great ideas! To think how inspirational these can be! Well if this was at all helpful or motivational to you, then just wait for what the Bible has to say on perseverance in Part 2!