Choice of Perseverance

November 11, 2024 Cathy

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him [James 1:12].

QUOTE: Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns (Unknown).

Our growth and maturity are measured by our responses to challenges, and it is also our choice on how we respond to those darn flying biscuits. We also have a choice on how much we will learn, and how much we will grow, and what thoughts we choose to have.

Please note that God did not allow painful things to happen to me because he was mad at me or did not love me; it was exactly the opposite. When things go wrong sometimes it’s our own doing, it could be the enemy being a jerk, or the Lord possibly could be giving us a course correction. I thought I was on the right path, but obviously the Lord did need to redirect and have me stop what I was doing. There were still things I needed to grow in so that I could be used by him and serve others as he had intended me to do.

Let’s back up a bit and talk about the main scripture because many people have misinterpreted this passage, James 1:12. We need to be sure we don’t believe that God is the one who leads us into temptations or causes testing.

God doesn’t lead us into temptation, but He is always with us, therefore we can know that even in the middle of flying biscuits, the Lord will bring us out on the other side. We receive our faith and patience from the Scriptures, but they develop as we encounter trials in life. Since I’ve been in the military let me use an example that might help put this into perspective.

A soldier trains in basic, but they don’t have the same level of proficiency as the soldier who has been in actual combat. Combat makes better soldiers than just training. But if soldiers tried to embrace their enemy, believing their commander sent the enemy to make them better soldiers, they would be killed. Soldiers only become better soldiers if they fight the enemy. Embracing the enemy leads to death.

This is something that many of us have embraced and misinterpreted from these scriptures. That our Commander in Chief [Jesus] sends problems on us to perfect us. Therefore, people actually embrace the problems instead of fighting against them. And many have died doing just that. God doesn’t send trials and temptations into our lives, that is all from the stupid enemy [the devil]. Yes, we can develop patience and endurance as we resist life’s temptations. But we need to be clear who is the instigator of problems and pain and who is the giver of life and blessings.

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [James 4:7].

Life is hard and we are shown this all throughout Scriptures. However, as believers, we should be able to preserve and grow our faith regardless of how many biscuits are flying or how hard the test is. We shouldn’t crumble and complain at the slightest indication of discomfort or pain, run to your girlfriends, hide in your bed, go into deep depression, and cancel all obligations. But instead, we should lean into the challenge and learn what the Lord is trying to show us. Growth and maturity do not occur without stretching and effort. But also remember, in the middle of flying biscuits God will give us grace to endure through His power. It’s up to you to reach out and use this incredible power or you can simply fold and give into the enemy. It’s a choice on how we respond to pressure or heat.

What girl doesn’t like beautiful, blingy, shiny diamonds!?! They are the strongest gem on the earth. But look what they need to go through to become the strongest gem on earth: They start as carbon deposits, deep within the earth, then they are subjected to temperatures of 2000-2200 degrees Fahrenheit and pressure 725,000 pounds per square inch. The carbon atoms bond together to form crystals under this high pressure and temperature and form the diamond. Then, this gem is polished and made to glimmer.

In the same way, God can take our biscuit flying seasons to bring out our impurities. He can remove the icky stuff through heat and pressure. Only then can we be polished and be like a beautiful sparkling diamond; stronger and with a rock solid believe and strength. [but remember God didn’t cause the biscuits to fly]…

I know right now, some of you have thrown this book against the wall again. Once you pick it back up, please know that I am sharing this from my perspective and experience. I have found that rock solid faith is developed under pressure, and under that pressure you really do find what you are made of. If your journey is easy, or if you fold up, and don’t ever persevere through flying biscuits, your faith is going to be wimpy and wavering. When your faith is wimpy and wavering, look out, because that is exactly when the enemy will sneak in. This is when doubt, confusion and even depression can set in. Then you can get into that vicious downward spiral, my prayer is that you don’t go there girlfriends… Stand Firm and choose to persevere!

James tells us that trials demand perseverance. To persevere means to continue to strive towards achieving something despite the difficulty or discouragement. Perseverance means to keep on keeping on. It means to never give up, no matter what! When we persevere, we obtain character. Character is the ability to stay the course, in spite of the suffering and testing. Character is “exposing the quality of what is being tested”.

Our character muscle will become stronger over time and as we grow, we can deal with even harder challenges. From strengthening our character, we have hope. Hope is the joyful expectation of what the Lord has promised. Hope comes from knowing and trusting God to do what He says He will do.

CHOICE OF PERSEVERANCE: Ok, let’s wrap this up. Trials demand perseverance, perseverance produces character, character brings hope, hope allows steadfastness, and through this steadfastness our faith becomes reliable, trustworthy, and strong.

Believe it or not, over time we will eventually have that spirit of peace as we learn to respond in the spirit vs in our flesh. It is our choice whether we will persevere or if we will crumble.

One final reminder, it is ONLY through the Holy Spirit working within us that we can respond appropriately and continue to stand firm during any biscuit flying season.

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DAILY ACTION STEP
Say to yourself out loud
I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM
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FRIENDLY REMINDER: Take out your journal and write down your thoughts, takeaways, and progress for this week!

TAKEAWAY GEMS

Biscuit flying seasons can be anything from divorce, death of a loved one, loss of job, or sickness.
Anything that causes pain and suffering can be considered a biscuit flying season, whether it comes by our own mistakes, choices, outside circumstances, or the enemy.
God is NOT the one who causes pain or heartache.
Our growth and maturity are measured by our responses to flying biscuits!
Sometimes we may need to be redirected or grow to be used by Him.
Hopefully you will use these seasons to deepen your relationship and become closer to Jesus.
Remember, God still loves you even when biscuits are flying.
Learn to preserve and grow regardless of how many biscuits are flying or how hard the test is.
Growth and maturity do not occur without pain and work.
Be the diamond in the fire!!
Perseverance produces character.
Character brings hope.
Hope allows steadfastness.
Steadfastness brings reliability, trustworthiness, and strength.
ONLY through the Holy Spirit can we stand firm during any biscuit flying season.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ON

What was one big biscuit flying season that you persevered through?
Do you feel that your faith grew, or did you find yourself being mad at God and slipping away a bit?
What are ways that you can prepare yourself to be able to preserve the next time biscuits fly?

ACTION STEP-PERSEVERANCE SCRIPTURE: Choose a Scripture that resonates with you about perseverance. It can be one of the Scriptures below or you can ask the Holy Spirit to help you find one of your own. Meditate, pray, and memorize this entire passage. Make this your go to Scripture when all biscuits are flying.

DAILY SCRIPTURES

DAY 1: God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him [James 1:12].

DAY 2: Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. [Romans 5:1-4]

DAY 3: So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [1 Peter 1:6-7]

DAY 4: So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. [Galatians 6:9]

DAY 5: So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. [Hebrews 10:35-36]

DAY 6: Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. [Revelation 3:10]

DAY 7: Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. [1 Corinthians 16:13]