Perserverance

“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” Romans 5:2-4

Perseverance is defined as steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.  It is the key to every great accomplishment because nothing of lasting value has ever been achieved without it.

As I reflect on the past week, this is so true in so many aspects of my life – my weight loss journey, my business and my personal life.  I persevered when I was trying to get clean from drugs.  I persevered as a single mom raising my daughter.  I persevered as I worked towards goal weight.  I love this story:

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.”

How often do we let obstacles or people affect our path.  Maybe there are financial setbacks, time pressures, illnesses and misfortunes. But for ME, the biggest obstacles that I face are actually inside of me: self-doubt, insecurity, procrastination, and worry.  In the past, I didn’t give myself permission to succeed.  Negative Nellie became my constant companion.

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 journey not a race.  Most people give up or give out when they feel depleted – you know when you are physically, emotionally and spiritually out of gas.

As we relax, reflect and recharge, this is what I want you to remember:

Beware of people who try to talk you out of your dreams and goals (even if it is YOUR internal voice). Spend time with optimists and encouragers. Seek out people of faith.

Persevere to the end…

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

#perseverance #addiction #goalweight #dreams #goals #negativenellie