Perseverance in times of trouble

I have attended HAH @ Koramangala Methodist Church on May 1st and the topic for discussion was "Perseverance in times of trouble" facilitated by Mr Ashley.

Find the presentation here

In addition to the presentation, here are few points that were discussed during the group discussion:

1) Perseverance is an active form of a noun and it means, "steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement." whereas Patience is a 'quality' and it means "an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness"

• When we exhibit patience, we have a hope filled endurance and we are not ideally sitting, but we are waiting with expectancy.
• When  we exhibit perseverance, we continue doing something despite all the trails and external influences
• Being Persistent means, insistent solicitations. This needs tremendous prayers.

2) When a person goes through troubles, he/she will either 'grow closer to God' or 'draw away from God'. In Such moments we need to understand that when God says He will, He will do it. When we face trails, I personally suggest that we need to be still and have quite time with God and meditate. Holy Spirit is a wonderful counselor! 

3) We also learnt few points from the persistent widow in Luke 18.

• She never gave up.
• She achieved her objective in a right way.
• God will bring justice to people.
• We need to know that God will!! and believe!

4) Enemies of perseverence:

• Comfort zone
• No goals
• Rejection
• Bad experiences

Here are the ways to avoid the enemies,

• Find purpose of your life
• Goals for all areas
• Eliminate excuses
• Develop your skills and learn more
• Be a part of community service
• Express your feelings
• Write about how you feel
• Pray
• Get help from believers.

We all had a very blessed time. A time when all the memories of hardships flashed by the mind.

We learnt 3P's

• Perseverance
• Persistent Prayer
• Patience

and all these traits help us only when we put it in Practice.

We need to encourage each other to persevere during our trails. When we cry or crib over the situations we are insulting God's grace. Jesus says, everyday has enough trouble of its own. So Practice all the three P's.