My
father-in-law turned seventy-eight recently, and during our family
gathering to honor him, someone asked him, “What’s the most important
thing you’ve learned in your life so far?” His answer? “Hang in there.”
Hang in there. It might be tempting to dismiss those words as simplistic. But my father-in-law wasn’t promoting blind optimism or positive thinking. He’s endured tough things in his nearly eight decades. His determination to press on wasn’t grounded in some vague hope that things might get better, but in Christ’s work in his life.
“Hanging in there”—the Bible calls it perseverance—isn’t possible through mere willpower. We persevere because God promised, over and over, that He’s with us, that He’ll give us strength, and that He’ll accomplish His purposes in our lives. That’s the message He spoke to the Israelites through Isaiah: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
What does it take to “hang in there”? According to Isaiah, the foundation for hope is God’s character. Knowing God’s goodness allows us to release our grip on fear so we can cling to the Father and His promise that He will provide what we need each day: strength, help, and God’s comforting, empowering, and upholding presence.
Hang in there. It might be tempting to dismiss those words as simplistic. But my father-in-law wasn’t promoting blind optimism or positive thinking. He’s endured tough things in his nearly eight decades. His determination to press on wasn’t grounded in some vague hope that things might get better, but in Christ’s work in his life.
“Hanging in there”—the Bible calls it perseverance—isn’t possible through mere willpower. We persevere because God promised, over and over, that He’s with us, that He’ll give us strength, and that He’ll accomplish His purposes in our lives. That’s the message He spoke to the Israelites through Isaiah: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
What does it take to “hang in there”? According to Isaiah, the foundation for hope is God’s character. Knowing God’s goodness allows us to release our grip on fear so we can cling to the Father and His promise that He will provide what we need each day: strength, help, and God’s comforting, empowering, and upholding presence.
Reflect & Pray
How
have you experienced God’s provision for you in moments of fear?
How can the support of other believers help you to hang on?
How can the support of other believers help you to hang on?
Father,
Your love gives us everything we need to “hang in there.”
Help us to remember Your promise of strength and to rely upon it each day.
Help us to remember Your promise of strength and to rely upon it each day.
God has given me many reasons to "hang in there." Way I see it is this: He's taken care of me to this point why would He suddenly stop now?"
ReplyDeleteWow, I have experienced God with me in so many unsettling moments in my life. Through my parents cancer, through failures in college, through figuring out what I wanted to do with my life- God has been so consistent. He has been there through every step. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's very difficult for me to share my struggles with others. I tend to be pretty private. But, I find that when I do open up, I am encouraged and can often weather the storms just a little bit more easily. I see these moments as God's provisions to 'hang in there'!
ReplyDelete"This too shall pass" has kept me going so many times. Whether its struggles at work or home, God is so faithful. I do not tend to have much of a social life, but when I am going through a difficult time, my heart is helped by the amazing people that God has put at Valley. They truly have been a gift from God.
ReplyDelete