Persistence

Proverbs 14:23 (NIV)
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk only leads to poverty.

In the hit film The Founder based on a true story, Ray Kroc is a milkshake-mixer salesman who is having a tough time driving around the United States trying to sell the latest milkshake mixers to Diners, with very little success. Until one day he gets a call with an order for six Milkshake Mixers - something that had never happened before! This turning point led to Ray meeting the McDonalds brothers and Ray Kroc’s eventual take-over of the small single operation and subsequently expanding McDonalds to become the largest restaurant business in the world.

When asked the key to his success, Kroc had one word: Persistence.

In Psychology, the theory of 'Survivorship Bias' teaches us that we often focus on the small number of ‘instant success' stories and forget the far greater number of people and businesses that toiled for many years before achieving success or which sooner or later failed. Social media have enhanced this effect and can often lead to wanting to give up after a short while when we don't immediately see results. The level of success we achieve in fulfilling the vision and goals in our lives is directly proportional to our level of persistence. 

The Bible encourages us to be persistent, to keep going and not give up. If you want to achieve the fullness of all that God has gifted you, then you will have to keep on going when it's tough and hold firmly onto your faith! I have a personal motto: 'Celebrate the good times, grind through the tough times.'

Prayer - Lord I pray that you will give me the strength to persevere when I want to give up.