PERSISTENCE

The word ‘”Persist “According to Cambridge Advanced learners’ dictionary, means to try to do or continue doing something in a determined but often unreasonable way. Simply put, persistence is determining to do something or try to keep doing something because you believe that the outcome would be positive. Another word that could be used in place of persistence is perseverance. These words could be used interchangeably.

Stories are told of great men and women, who persisted until they achieved that goal for purpose. There are facets to life and in these facets, we all look forward to having our dreams fulfilled, nothing good ever comes so easy and even when it does; it is because God wants it to be so. However, in most cases, we have to struggle, persist, and persevere to march forward.

One of our Christian mentors apostle Paul, encouraged us to press on that we may at last make heaven. It could be in your academics. Have you given up hope of gaining admission because you have re-written Jamb and that post –Utme repeatedly and they keep telling you to try again the next year? Have you been crying out to God to help you out of that situation? All you have to do is “persist”. For in due time, all will be well. All you have to do is to determine to never give up.

The fact that the hairs of the head grows again after it has been shaven, and the fingers and toe nails do grow after it had been cut, symbolizes that God had destined us to have all round growth and not stagnancy in life. This applies to all humans and you are not an exception. The only way you will not be stagnant is when you persist, persevere and against all odds, determine to march forward.

The big question in life is not whether you get knocked down, you will! The question is are you ready to get back up and press forward to persist and fight for what you believe because you know it is the only way to march forward?

 A popular Christian hymn says,

“I’m pressing on the upward way

New heights am gaining everyday

Still onward bound, till heaven I’ve found, lord plant my feet on higher Ground”

Most times, we sing this song without actually digesting and ruminating over the lines…. The more he presses on, he gains new height, and He marches forward! Show me a successful man/ woman and I will show you a fighter. Not a physical fighter as you may imagine, but someone who is not deterred by his present situation but persisted against all odds and marched forward and is still marching on. I was opportune to be in a gathering and hear a lady talk to teenagers/youth about how she repeatedly wrote UTME eight (8) times! Now think about it, think about repeatedly doing a particular thing for eight years without success. People said all sorts and to worsen it, she had no father. Her mother was a petty street trader who sold eggs. It was not until the eighth time before she was finally admitted. Today, she is somebody to be reckoned with. She finally made it. Persistence! Is what keeps hope alive!

Now faith without work is dead. Build your faith and do not forget to seek his face. You cannot do it on your own except of course God sends the Holy Spirit to empower you. Now, no matter how long you persist, if God does not help you, it will all be in vain…. It would all be for nothing. Just hold on my brother, Just be strong my sister, God has your problems all in control and he is working it out, he is all in control if only you can just hold on. Stay Blessed

James E.Blessing