The journey to restoration for a believer is challenging – at times, very challenging – and we can be tempted to think not a lot is happening and we can consider giving up. As I said a couple of BLOGs ago, a lot of change as God is working in us is gradual, even if we cannot detect anything happening at all. There are a few reasons for that. One is that some of the restoration God needs to do in us is so deep that we cannot get there ourselves, or know that there is even something broken. Apart from the obvious and more surface issues we do see and want changed, there are very deep things we almost sense at times but cannot really discern are there. Possibly, early childhood traumas, for example, have been blocked out of our memories. We sense something is amiss, but we’re never sure as we can never pinpoint that thing.
Another reason is that God is incredibly gentle and patient with us. He works in us a little at a time and is caring for us the whole time – bandaging wounds and healing can take time. Yet another reason is that God is increasing our faith – something more precious than silver or gold.
1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)
“These [trials and tests] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Now, I know that these bits of wisdom may not help you to become instantly patient as restoration is being worked in you, but I want to go further here – and gently. Sometimes we seem to keep struggling with the same issue – a character flaw, an habitual sin, an iniquity or abuse visited upon us somewhere in our past, the pain of which never seems to go away. That’s where restoration is hard work. It is also the point where believers often give up. If that’s you, please don’t do that. Persevere! Perseverance does two key things. One, it produces faith endurance. That is, a faith capacity and capability we did not have before. Two, persevering in faith as God is at work so often allows God to fully complete an aspect of our restoration. I am quite sure there have been times when I have given up so close to completion, and that thing was never completed, restored or perfected. There was no breakthrough. Later, as I persevered past the point where I had previously given up, breakthrough came quite quickly. It surprised me, and it motivated me to persevere next time until breakthrough comes. And this is what endurance is - the knowledge and faith that restoration is inevitable for the one who perseveres. Endurance produces overcomers. This is promised to us by Jesus in the context of the end of all things but is, nevertheless, a guiding faith principle for all manner of perseverance seasons.
Matthew 24:13 (NIV) [Jesus] “… but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
And, of course, what Jesus is speaking of here is our completed salvation, or our finished salvation. Right now, we persevere as God is working in us because this develops our faith to such a capacity it can endure greater tests and handle greater responsibilities with grace and poise. Every time we add perseverance to our faith we are adding godliness. That is, perseverance is the foundational quality that gives God the space to make us holy. Being holy is not just about dealing with sin, but sin’s effects, whether because of what we have done, or because of what has been done to us. This takes deep work, and perseverance in faith is vital.
2 Peter 1:5-6 (NIV)
”For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;”
To reiterate, the process of persevering when God is perfecting something in us, restoring our soul, is not easy sometimes. But this is why we have been given faith – so that we can persevere – and this is one of the key ways we grow in faith. When we persevere the outcome may seem a distant thing, but it is inevitable for the faithful believer when they don’t give up. We are promised this several times in scripture …
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
The inevitability factor for the faithful is so clear here – and very encouraging.
I have known, as no doubt you have too, some seasons where there are many tears and a lot of anguish as the process starts to go deep. Push past the tears and sorrow. Get support from others where you need that – and we all do, at times – but persevere here, because while tears are temporary, the outcome is inevitable and joyous.
Psalms 126:5 (NIV) “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
Psalms 30:5b (NLT) “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
One more thing. It’s really important. Out of the seasons of tears, powerful ministries are born.
Psalms 126:6 (NLT) “They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”
The, often hidden, restoration work that God is doing in us as we persevere in faith trusting His process, has two incredible outcomes apart from endurance: restoration of the soul and the new capacity to minister hope to others with great power and authority.
It’s inevitable. Because God is faithful.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Hang in there, morning comes …
Ps Milton