HANG IN THERE | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: HANG IN THERE | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jeannine Brenner
06/09/14
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

HANG IN THERE

We once had a little black dog named Blaze. Blazey was quite lovable. But he also had some very irritating habits. He ran off if he wasn't watched. He barked. He jumped up on people. BUT, he had one characteristic, although it was annoying, nevertheless we might all do well to emulate. He was persistent. If I put him in his cage because he was jumping up on people, he would whine. Pretty soon the whining would turn to howling, and eventually his persistence would be rewarded, because everyone would say, "Oh, we don't mind him. Let him out." So, because he was embarrassing, I would give in and he got what he wanted. His persistence had paid off.

The same thing happened when he wanted on my lap. He would scratch and scratch with his sharp nails until I would put aside whatever I was doing and make room for him. Again, his persistence was rewarded. At night, if he wanted in bed, he would wait patiently at the side of my bed until I was sleeping. Then he would sneak up beside me. He had gotten what he wanted by hanging in there and not giving up.

There is a poster with the picture of a cat holding on to a tree limb with his two front paws - his legs dangling in midair - with the heading, HANG in THERE. We all have those HANG IN THERE DAYS, days when we are ready to throw in the towel, but instead we have to bounce back. These are days when we simply have to hang in there.

James says in chapter 1, verse 12, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:2 says, "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James doesn't say IF you face trials. He says WHENEVER you face them. He assumes that we will have trials, and we can profit from them.

During times of trial the temptation to give in to despair is great. But if we persevere, stay faithful under pressure even when we are down, we will live forever with Jesus Christ. "If we endure, we will also reign with him" (II Timothy 2:12).

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.