2025 - The Year of Persistence
We hear it every year around this time…
“New Year…New me”
“Time to leave this past year behind me”
“This year is going to be different”
The rush of people sharing their new lease on life in the form of New Year’s resolutions is soon upon us. To many, January 1st represents the beginning of a new chance to make changes that could benefit us and those around us. There is something about a new year that gives one the hope of renewal. I heard someone say earlier this week…”Since New Year’s Day is on a Wednesday, I am not going to begin my diet until Monday”. So…even the beginning of a new week gives the hope of a new beginning for some.
This morning, during our Sunday School time of sharing, this was a discussion among our congregation. New starts and new beginnings were abuzz within the room. One lady in particular made a statement that intrigued me…
“I don’t need a new beginning; I want to just continue the growth and continue learning in Christ”
If anyone in our congregation would have the need for a new beginning, it would be her. This past year has been incredibly difficult for her family. Her oldest son was diagnosed with Leukemia in January of 2024 and spent months in the hospital receiving treatment. To say her year was like being on a rollercoaster would be an understatement. Her son is in his late 20s and has a wife and 3 year old son of his own. The agony of not knowing what the next day would bring as far as a prognosis goes was palpable for many, many months. Many months of 2024 were spent in the hospital waiting room or her son’s treatment room
But along the way, in the midst of what she considers the greatest trial of her life. She learned so many lessons about the power of God and began to trust him more and more.
She does not want to necessarily forget this experience. She wants to continue in what she is learning. She wants to walk with the Lord. She wants to persist.
What is Biblical Persistence?
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12, NLT
Biblical Persistence is reaped through adversity
Everyone deals with adversity. The question is “How do you react to it?” Do you retreat? Give up? Throw a pity party?
Or do you press on? Do you endure? If you press on, the only way you will persevere is through God’s power, not your own. The awesome thing about Biblical Persistence is that it actually grows and thrives by experiencing trials and adversity. Look at what Romans 5: 3-4 says about the result of responding to our trials the right way…
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation”
Romans 5; 3-4, NLT
Our trials actually help us to build our persistence (endurance). When we face our adversity in faith, we not only develop endurance and persistence, but it also builds our character and strengthens our hope. Also, notice that we can rejoice in our trials when the world looks at their tough circumstances in despair. Which leads me to my next point…
Biblical Persistence in trials leads the believer to rejoice and mature in their faith.
As believers, we have the unique role and responsibility to share Christ with others. In a dark world full of negativity, think about the testimony one shows when they can rejoice in the midst of trials. And not only does a believer rejoice during the trials, they grow and thrive in the faith! Look at the following passage from the book of James…
“…when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
James 1:2-4, NLT
The ability to be joyful is rooted in the Holy Spirit. It is not possible except with God’s help. It makes no sense to those around us that do not have the same hope as we do. The idea of being perfect and complete in verse four refers to our maturity in our faith.
Rejoicing in the midst of a trial is our faith responding to a situation that is out of our hands. The rejoicing comes from knowing the outcome is in God’s hand.
Let’s make 2025 the “Year of Persistence”
I know that in many ways, 2024 was not the way that my friend from church envisioned it to be as she rang in the new year last year. But she would not change the lessons that came from it. She rejoiced in the midst of the diagnosis when she did not think it was possible before. She put the outcome in God’s hand, not her own. She learned that persistence and endurance are hard earned, but worth it. She has ministered to many and testified of God’s grace. Most importantly, her faith has matured and continues to mature.
So instead of turning over a new leaf for the new year, she is excited to “press on” to 2025 with lessons learned, a newly found endurance, and a strong faith.
What is your hope for the new year? If it is in anything apart from Jesus, it is in vain. Do you need to resolve that you will “press on” and endure when the trials come? (and they will come this year)
Let’s endeavor to make 2025 the year that we persist in Christ.
Join Us in The "Year of Persistence"
As we enter 2025, let’s commit to pressing on in our faith, trusting that God will strengthen our endurance through every trial. If you’ve been inspired by today’s post, we encourage you to reflect on how you can apply biblical persistence in your own life this year. For more encouragement and community, join us on our Discord or Instagram to share your journey and grow together in Christ.