A Spirit of Persistence
Along with facing challenges, successful Christians know what it means to be persistent. I call it having a persistent spirit. They use persistency in a profitable manner. I say in a profitable manner, because some use it in an unprofitable manner. They get pushy and demand things that are unreasonable of other people.
Persistence, perseverance, stick-to-itiveness—call it whatever you want. It's a necessary quality to be successful. With a persistent spirit, you can face challenges and hold onto the vision God has given you, bringing it to manifestation.
Persistence is the test of faith. Persistence is hanging in there when all the odds are stacked up against you. It's steadfastness.
John G. Lake was a man who believed in persistence. He built and directed a Bible school in Spokane, Washington. He used to say to his students, "We're going to give each of you the name of a sick person. They need prayer. You are to go to them and pray for them to be healed. Don't come back until they are healed. If you do, you'll have to deal with me!"
Lake's boldness was motivated by love. Perfect love casts out all fear. He loved people so much he wanted to see everyone healthy, whole, and walking in all of God's blessings.
Some of those students prayed half an hour. Others would stay all day to pray for a sick person. Some even stayed two weeks! They did not return to school until the person was totally healed. That's persistence. When persistence is fueled by love—God's love for people—you will succeed.
"...stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
—1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV.
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