Perseverance pays off in life's ups, downs

"Blessed is the man who perseveres ..."

- James 1:12 (NIV)

I remember one damp fall evening when I drove to a neighboring town to watch my middle son participate in a sporting event. As I sat on the bleachers in the drizzle and cold, it didn't take long before I lost my passion to watch. I quickly headed to the warm, dry refuge of my car.

I sat in the car listening to the raindrops echo off the roof as I waited for the clock to tick away the minutes on the playing field. Occasionally, I would venture out to the field to check on how the team was doing. Each time I did, I saw my son standing on the sidelines drenched from head to toe, cheering his teammates.

As I recall, that night he was never put in the game. However, I noticed he stood eagerly on the sidelines with a readiness to partake at any moment - and he left that evening feeling the same enthusiasm.

I realize that season he sat out more games than he played, but his passion to play never failed. As I ponder my son's determination that year, I have seen that same drive carry him through many of life's difficulties that a weaker heart could not withstand. In this, I see the true blessing of perseverance.

My son is older now. In his adult years, I have seen him struggle and persevere to keep his business afloat. I've see him go back to a job he'd rather not do just to get his financial bearings back. And then, at the right time, make a comeback and establish his dream once again. He now has a successful business.

One of my favorite topics I speak on is dreams and detours. Life is filled with many.

During the pandemic, most of us had to take a detour from our lives. Now that we are navigating through the detours to get back, perseverance is a spiritual principle that keeps us going strong.

It isn't something that just falls on us or is automatically there. We must work at managing our emotions and physical energy to remain persistent. Sometimes we need a break. But, even then, we continue to plan and dream.

We may have encountered financial setbacks, lost some friends, or a loved one. As we face the challenge to rebuild our lives, with God-given perseverance, we can rediscover our dreams and watch the blessing our tenacity can bring.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.