Perseverance for Success

I believe this is our 14th or 15th time attending the Performance Racing Industry trade show over the last 20 years.  It’s always the first weekend in December and has been held at the Indianapolis Convention Center for the last 4 or 5 years.  Man it sure is cold in Indiana in December!

2018 has seen numerous highs and lows, both personally and professionally.  We started the year with much uncertainty after parking our 2nd in house team forcing us to rely only on 1 fulltime unit, our freelance team and fly kit.  It has been a challenge, we have learned many things, both good and bad.  Dog tired, equipment failure and so many other difficulties have darkened our path at times, we just wanted to go home, turn the key off, close the drapes and quit.  It’s during these times I have to dig in deeper to what He has called us to.  

Our bills are paid, all jobs have been completed, promoters are happy and 2019 is shaping up to be another great year for our company.  Why is all going so well, perseverance in the the plan He has for our lives.  Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  

Just because we follow Jesus does not keep us from trouble.  Instead of gnashing our teeth and wringing our hands when times are hard, we press in deeper leaning on Him and gathering strength from His presence in our lives.  If the enemy can get you to take your eyes off of the Lord, he wins.  Head up soldier, eyes on the goal and continue the march.  In the end, trusting His plan for your life will win out over man every time, even when it seems like complete madness!

Blessings

Perseverance for Success
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
December 07, 2018

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:2-4). 

Perseverance is the key to every great accomplishment because nothing of lasting value has ever been achieved without it. Industrialist Henry Ford is one of the great success stories of American history, but he failed in business five times before he succeeded. A Ford Motor Company employee once asked his boss the secret of success, and Henry Ford replied, “When you start a thing, don’t quit until you finish it.” 

The path ahead of you is strewn with obstacles. People will oppose you. There will be financial setbacks, time pressures, illnesses and misfortunes. Some of the biggest obstacles will be inside of you: self-doubt, insecurity, procrastination, and worry. You must give yourself permission to succeed. 

When we persevere through adversity, we win the approval of our Lord Jesus Christ, who told the suffering church at Ephesus, “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. . . . You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary” (Rev. 2:2-3). That, I’m sure, is the same commendation Joseph received from God when he passed the perseverance test. 

Perseverance is a refusal to quit. It’s falling down 100 times and getting back up 101 times. We need to remember that perseverance is not a matter of forcing doors to open; it’s standing in front of the doors as long as it takes before God chooses to open them. 

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. The race doesn’t go to the swiftest, but to those who don’t give up. We need endurance in order to deal with the stress of adversity. We must maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest. People give up or give out when they feel depleted – when they physically, emotionally and spiritually run out of gas. 

When going through adversity, watch out for pessimists, blamers and toxic personalities. Beware of people who try to talk you out of your dreams and goals. Spend time with optimists and encouragers. Seek out people of faith. 

Persevere to the end.