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| Overcoming Through Persistence |
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Overcoming With Persistence Persistence overcomes opposition that we encounter in pursuit of our dreams and goals. Persistence can be defined as the ability to maintain action regardless of people, circumstances or our feelings. You press on even when you feel like quitting. Former President Calvin Coolidge said: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. What kind of opposition does Persistence overcome as we pursue our dreams and goals? Persistence will over come 3 types of opposition we will encounter as we pursue our dreams and goals. . 1. Persistence will overcome people who discourage us. 2. Persistence will overcome obstacles that detour us.3. Persistence will overcome our emotions that deceive us.
People will discourage us:There are a couple constants we can count on in life: Death and Taxes are some…but how about negative people? They are a dime a dozen! There is always some one quick to point our faults, your inadequacies, even your past failures. It is easy for people to steal our dreams and to dishearten us as we attempt to step out and do something great with our lives if we let them. One way we can safeguard and protect ourselves from the influence of people who will discourage us is through Persistence! Persistence through actions says, “I don’t care what you say, I believe in what I am doing, and nothing is going to stop me from achieving my goal” Suppose Thomas Edison had gotten discouraged by what others had said about him? Perhaps we would not have the benefit of his invention today if he had surrendered to popular opinion. Thomas Edison had tested over 3000 filaments before he came up with his version of the practical light bulb. He was quoted as saying: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Persistence will give you the last laugh against all the naysayer’s! OG Mandino said: One of the greatest principles of success is persistence. Persist long enough and you will win! Persistence will enable you to overcome the people who discourage you.
II. Obstacles will Detour us! Obstacles are inevitable as life happens to all of us. Finances, Time, Illness, and Failure etc…are some things that can trip us up on the way to victory. When I think of a Detour I think of 2 things! I think of an inconvenience. And I think of it being out of my way. Detours are part of the journey. Persistence will enable us to overcome the detours in life by giving us strength and purpose when it seems if we are not making any ground at all. Colonel Sanders the founder of KFC spent 2 years driving across the US looking for restaurants to buy his chicken recipe. He was turned away 1,009 times! Imagine if he would have given up and not gone the 1010th time. You would have never had the chance to taste the original or extra crispy chicken! Bill Gates and Paul Allen started a company back in 1972 called Traf-o-Data. That business failed after several years of investment. Of course they later started a little company called Microsoft. What if Bill Gates had given up on his dreams and goals even after failure? He for sure would not be one of the richest men in the world. Failure is never permanent only quitting is! That is why the Scripture tells us in Gal 6:10 not to grow weary in well doing for we will reap if we do not faint (or quit)! Persistence will help you overcome the detours in life!
III. Our Emotions will deceive us. When things don’t go our way it is easy to become sad, depressed, lonely, and hopeless. What we feel and what is are two different things usually! There are days in life when I don’t feel important or loved! But reality says I am. My wife and children constantly tell me how much they love and appreciate me, but that’s not what I hear. I hear that little voice in my head saying you’re not good enough, you can do better; I’m a failure, waaah waah waah! Persistence overcomes those emotions and replaces despair with hope. Persistence replaces sadness with joy.Persistence replaces fear with faith. The Bible tells us in: “In all labor there is profit.” It may seem like we are not profiting from all the labor we put into certain projects chasing our dreams, but as long as we are moving forward and making an effort we are that much closer to our desired goal! Persistence will help us overcome our negative emotions that deceive us. I would like to leave you with this parting thought: When things go wrong as they sometimes will.When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill. When funds are low and the debts are high.And you want to smile, but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit.Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. Life is strange with its twists and turns.As every one of us sometimes learns. And any a failure turns about.When he might have won had he stuck it out. Don’t give up through the pace seems slow-You may succeed with another blow. Success is failure turned inside out-The silver tint on the clouds of doubt. And you never can tell how close you are.It may be near when it seems so far: So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit- It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit! |
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| To add a comment to "Overcoming Through Persistence" |
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| August 12, 2008 |
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| Pressing...and printing...LOL! Thanks Brother Todd! |
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| August 12, 2008 |
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| I am persistant (much to the distress of Ken) if nothing else! LOLOLOL |
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| August 12, 2008 |
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| Suga and Cindy: Keep on keeping on! You can do all things through Christ! |
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| August 12, 2008 |
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Todd, I always knew you were a persistor. (or is it persister?)
People will discourage us. No, really???? lol ... Persistance becomes hardest when people get in the way! lol |
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| August 12, 2008 |
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| Mike: never give up, never give in, never give out. Through Christ we can overcome, "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony" Mike, if it weren't for people Christianity would be a breeze! LOL! There are so many negative people and dream stealers it is a wonder that any of us ever make up our minds to get things done. |
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| August 13, 2008 |
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This was a blessing Todd...a real blessing indeed. I really loved that poem at the end. While reading this my mind began to race back through all the obstacles, and naysayers, and emotional roller coaster rides I've been on while on this Christian Journey...but I just refuse to quit.....LOL....The devil should have killed me a long time ago when he really had a chance...I have too many bullets in my gun now....LOL or should I say my sword is too sharp (smile)..I CAN DO ALL THINGS through CHRIST which strengthens me..
My brother I've learned that persistence does in fact pay off, and some folks think I'm crazy because of my persistence...but thanks be to God...l'm a strong soldier....The fiery furnace, and the boot camp of life has toughened me up (smile) |
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| August 13, 2008 |
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| Marjay: You are a seasoned warrior! How many victories have we missed only because we did not stay the course? I know in my own life, it is easier to give up then to press on. But, we must never succomb to the flesh, rather we need to fight the good fight and rember why and Whom we are fighting for. Your are a faithful soldier of the cross and one day, it will be worth it all! |
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| August 13, 2008 |
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| Steve: The important thing is that we don't quit on God. Endure to the end right? He will help you be persistent in being obedient. |
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