I am reading a book entitled, Success Is A Choice by Rick Pitino. Chapter 8 in the book lets you know that quitting is not an option as it is appropriately titled, Be Ferociously Persistent. The chapter begins with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. “A man is a hero, not because he is braver than anyone else, but because he is brave for ten minutes longer.”
This prompted me to start putting this into a Christian perspective. In the Bible we hear the story of the persistent widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18:1-8. Obviously, her persistence paid off. Other passages referred to perseverance. Eventually, I began pondering the difference between persistence and perseverance. Is there a difference?
Psalm 88 verse 1 states, “O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You.” Is that persistence or perseverance?
1 Chronicles 16:11 states, “Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.” Is that persistence or perseverance?
I went to the dictionary to look up the word perseverance. It stated that perseverance is a “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.” It contained a second definition specifically geared toward Theology. Perseverance is the “continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.
Since the word persistence was used in the definition of perseverance, I wanted to see if the word perseverance appeared in the definition of persistence. The first definition of persistence stated that it was “the act or fact of persisting.” That did not help much so I went down the list and eventually saw this: “continued existence or occurrence.” The more I studied it the less clarity I seemed to have. I think I will play it safe and pursue both persistence and perseverance in my spiritual quest. Pray without ceasing (persistence) and persevere until the end.
“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”
~Bill Bradley
This prompted me to start putting this into a Christian perspective. In the Bible we hear the story of the persistent widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18:1-8. Obviously, her persistence paid off. Other passages referred to perseverance. Eventually, I began pondering the difference between persistence and perseverance. Is there a difference?
Psalm 88 verse 1 states, “O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You.” Is that persistence or perseverance?
1 Chronicles 16:11 states, “Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.” Is that persistence or perseverance?
I went to the dictionary to look up the word perseverance. It stated that perseverance is a “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.” It contained a second definition specifically geared toward Theology. Perseverance is the “continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.
Since the word persistence was used in the definition of perseverance, I wanted to see if the word perseverance appeared in the definition of persistence. The first definition of persistence stated that it was “the act or fact of persisting.” That did not help much so I went down the list and eventually saw this: “continued existence or occurrence.” The more I studied it the less clarity I seemed to have. I think I will play it safe and pursue both persistence and perseverance in my spiritual quest. Pray without ceasing (persistence) and persevere until the end.
“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”
~Bill Bradley
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