The Power of Persistence: Pressing Through Challenges to Fulfill God’s Vision
Brought to you by Bobby Davis
Dear Friends,
The temptation to stop when things are hard is real. I'm dealing with a situation right now that is very challenging and filled with uncertainty, and I feel compelled to change course due to these difficult circumstances. I don’t know if God is telling me to do this, but my circumstances are screaming at me. So, during prayer this morning, I turned to my journal in search of encouragement—something that would speak to my current struggle. In that moment, I stumbled across an old journal entry that not only encouraged me but I believe will encourage you as well.
As I sit and reflect on my prayer journal from July 20th, 2023, I’m reminded of a truth that has transformed my perspective and renewed my determination to press forward. It’s a truth rooted in the Word of God and echoed in the lives of countless believers who have walked before us: the journey to fulfilling God’s vision for our lives will often come with challenges, resistance, and even heartbreak—but these obstacles are not signs to stop. Instead, they are opportunities to grow, to lean on God, and to allow His strength to carry us through.
How often do we start pursuing a dream or a purpose that God has placed in our hearts, only to retreat when things get hard? I know I’ve been guilty of this mindset. Somewhere along the way, I picked up the belief that if something is truly from God, it will be easy, free of opposition, and smooth sailing. But as I prayed and sought the Lord's guidance, He began to show me that this belief couldn’t be further from the truth.
Scripture is filled with examples of God’s people facing resistance on their journey toward fulfilling their calling. Take Nehemiah, for instance. When God placed the vision in his heart to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, he faced mockery, opposition, and threats from people who wanted to derail his work. Yet Nehemiah persisted. He prayed, stayed focused, and kept moving forward despite the resistance. His story reminds us that fulfilling God’s vision is not for the faint of heart—it requires faith, commitment, and persistence.
Then there’s Moses, tasked with the monumental call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. His journey was riddled with challenges: Pharaoh’s hardened heart, the complaints of the people he was leading, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their path. And who can forget the apostle Paul, whose ministry was marked by imprisonment, persecution, and physical suffering? Even Jesus Himself, our perfect example, encountered immense resistance and opposition as He carried out His mission here on earth.
What do all these examples teach us? That hardship is not a sign that we’re on the wrong path. In fact, it’s often quite the opposite. Hardship is a natural part of the process, and it serves a purpose in God’s greater plan for our lives.
As I prayed that morning, God gave me a word: persistence. He reminded me that challenges, setbacks, and difficulties are not meant to defeat us; they’re meant to refine us. Like muscles that grow stronger under the strain of resistance, our faith, character, and resolve are strengthened when we face opposition and allow God to work in and through us.
I began to see how my own mindset had been shaped by the desire for comfort and ease. When things got hard, I’d interpret that as a sign to stop or change course. But God gently showed me that the pressure I was facing wasn’t meant to discourage me—it was meant to prepare me. It was meant to grow me into the person He’s calling me to be so that I could carry the load of the vision He’s placed in my heart.
This shift in perspective was humbling and freeing. I realized that I had been looking at challenges the wrong way. Instead of seeing them as roadblocks, I began to view them as stepping stones—tools God uses to equip us for the journey ahead.
And so, I want to encourage you today: if you’re facing resistance or difficulty in pursuing the dream or vision God has placed in your heart, don’t give up. Don’t let the pressure convince you that you’re on the wrong path. Instead, ask God for the strength to persist. Ask Him to help you see the purpose in the challenge and to give you the endurance to keep moving forward.
Remember the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
This is the beauty of persistence: it’s not about relying on our own strength but leaning into God’s power to sustain us. When we reach the end of ourselves, His strength takes over. When we feel like giving up, He steps in with grace, power, and provision.
I also think about how this principle applies to our daily lives. Whether it’s in our relationships, careers, ministries, or personal growth, the challenges we face are shaping us. They’re teaching us to depend on God and to trust in His timing and plan. They’re reminding us that we are not alone in this journey—He is with us every step of the way.
As I close, I want to leave you with this thought: persistence under pressure is part of God’s process. It’s how He molds us, strengthens us, and prepares us for the greater things He has in store. So, don’t despise the challenges. Don’t quit when it gets hard. Instead, press in, press on, and trust that God is working all things together for your good and His glory.
Let’s pray: “Lord, thank You for the dreams and visions You’ve placed in our hearts. Thank You for reminding us that challenges are not signs to stop but opportunities to grow. Help us to persist when the journey gets hard. Strengthen us when we feel weak and remind us that Your power is made perfect in our weakness. Give us the courage to press forward, trusting that You are with us every step of the way. We honor You today and thank You for the work You’re doing in us and through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Stay encouraged, friends. God is with you, and He’s equipping you for the journey ahead.
With love and prayers,
Bobby Davis