Don’t Give Up!

Ever felt like quitting? Just giving up from discouragement?

One of my favorite references to perseverance is what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans chapter 5. It contains the secret to learning to persevere in difficult times. It says, “We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:3-5) Did you catch that sequence?  First comes suffering. As ainful as it is, the hidden beauty qualifies you to depend on God and learn to persevere. The next step is to continue. Like the British say – keep calm and carry on, but it doesn’t end there. By persevering, you develop another benefit even if your circumstances don’t change. That benefit is character which is moral, emotional, and spiritual strength. Think about it this way. Perseverance in exercise develops physical muscle. So when you don’t give up in your suffering, you develop strength of character in your soul, but there’s more! Hope comes after you’ve persevered. You realize you can face tomorrow because you’ve made it through today.

Now if you’re going through a difficult financial trial right now, don’t give up. Keep living on your budget. Keep taking steps to get out of debt. Keep saving a little each day or week or month. Step by step you’ll make progress while gaining character and hope! 

Is your discouragement due to credit card debt? I recommend Christian Credit Counselors. They’ll create a debt management plan specifically for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline: 800-722-1976 or visit online at crown.org/ccc.