Debbie Swindell

When we think about perseverance in faith, the apostle Paul stands as a towering figure of inspiration. His life was anything but comfortable—beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, betrayal, hunger, sleepless nights. These weren’t momentary inconveniences; they were ongoing realities. And yet, Paul remained remarkably steadfast. His courage wasn’t grounded in sheer human grit—it flowed from a deep, unshakable reliance on the living God.

Have you ever faced a moment where the ground beneath your feet gave way—when everything you trusted in suddenly crumbled? Whether through loss, disappointment, illness, or spiritual dryness, such moments can feel like wandering in the dark with no map in sight. But it’s in these very moments that God gently but powerfully reminds us: Christ is enough.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul doesn’t sugarcoat his experiences:

“Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked… on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers… in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst…” (2 Corinthians 11:25–27)

These aren’t just historical events—they are a living testimony of faith forged in the fire. Paul’s life preaches a sermon to every weary soul: faith isn’t proven when life is easy. Faith is proven—and deepened—when tested.

Leaning Into God’s Faithfulness

There will be days when hope feels out of reach. When your strength fails. When prayers seem to echo without response. But we’re not left to navigate the storm alone. God’s Word is a steady anchor. His Spirit, a constant comfort. And His people, a source of strength and intercession.

Standing firm on the promises of God is not passive; it’s active surrender. It’s waking up each morning and choosing trust over despair, choosing Scripture over fear, and choosing Christ over all else.

Will You Let Your Trial Transform You?

Every hardship carries a question: Will this defeat us, or will it shape us into who God is calling us to be?

God doesn’t waste pain. In fact, some of our most spiritually formative moments come not from comfort but from hardship. As C.S. Lewis put it, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.” Trials teach us about sin, sanctification, and the sufficiency of Christ. They strip away our false dependencies and clarify our ultimate hope.

And in that process, something beautiful happens—we don’t just survive our trials. By God’s grace, we thrive through them.

Finish the Race Well

Paul knew his time was short. He wrote with urgency and confidence, “The time of my departure has come… I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6–7).

That’s the goal. Not just to make it through life, but to please the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:9), and to finish well.

So, what does that look like today?

• It looks like clinging to Scripture when answers feel out of reach.
• It means praying when you’re too tired to pray.
• It means showing up for others when you feel empty.
• It’s trusting God in the detour, the delay, the disappointment.

Finding Joy in the Journey

Perseverance isn’t about waiting until life gets better. It’s about discovering joy in the middle of the mess. It’s about seeing every trial as a stepping stone toward Christlikeness and learning to say with confidence, “God is working even here.”

Let’s walk in the spirit of Paul—not just enduring our circumstances, but embracing them with the courage and confidence that comes from Christ alone. Let’s be women (and men) of resilient faith, rooted in the promises of God, strengthened by the prayers of His people, and moved by the eternal hope of the gospel.

You are not alone. You are seen. And you are being strengthened to finish well.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17