Persevere By Fixing Your Mind on Truth

Created by me in PicMonkey.com

When I was a little kid, one of the stories that influenced my life was "The Little Engine that Could." By repeating his mantra, "I think I can, I think I can," the little engine was able to climb the obstacle in his way.

So much can be accomplished if you think you can!

Unfortunately in today's world, it seems likely we hear the opposite message constantly. "It's impossible." "You'll never change." "You don't have the resources." And on and on.

For me, the only way to persevere is to rely on the truth of God's Word. By constantly feeding on scriptures such as "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me*," and "through Christ we are more than conquerors**," and, "come to me, all who are carrying heavy loads ***," I begin to share the yoke with Jesus and He helps keep on keeping on.

The best way to persevere is to focus your mind on truth.

And someday, just like that little engine, I will crest that hill and flying forward on my path Home, I can say, I thought I could ... I thought I could ... and I did!

*Phillipians 4:13

** Romans 8:37

*** Matthew 11:28-30

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This post was written in response to today's prompt at Five Minute Friday, "persevere." The post was written in 5 minutes, but it took longer to illustrate a graphic and look up scripture references.

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I'm also including a Scripture and a prayer for perseverance that I wrote in November of 2024. I pray it resonates with someone.

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. ³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3 New Living Translation

Father,

 

Whenever I read this passage, the phrase, “strip off every weight that slows us down,” leaps off the page.

 

There are so many things that weigh us down. Responsibilities and expectations (especially our own) seem to take up way more space in our brains than we’d ever imagine. Also, we seem to live in an atmosphere of heaviness and conflict that weighs us down.

 

But, hey! JESUS endured hostility from sinful people, and it didn’t keep You from running the race set before You. It shouldn’t keep us from being all we are called to be, either.

 

Lord, I ask for extra strength to persevere for me and my friends today. Remind us of the joy awaiting us, and keep us on the journey Home.

 

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

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Sharing at Five Minute Friday and InstaEncouragements Link-up