Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
-Proverbs 4:25-26 (NIV)
I was talking with someone who, well, to be point blank — “give up” very quickly.
They get a revelation of an area that needs adjusting, start strong, and set out to make changes but drift back into old thought patterns, actions, and behaviors pretty quickly.
Their revelatory moments never lead them to their lasting breakthrough.
I’m not just talking in one area. This pattern has been ongoing in several areas of their life — and I’ve been watching this cycle for years!
During this particular conversation, slightly frustrated watching them live in a prison that I know Jesus freed them from, I felt this push inside of me, and these words just fell out of my mouth…
“I just don’t have that mentality. It’s not in my wiring. If I need a breakthrough in an area where I’m stuck, I don’t lose sight of the goal. It’s in front of me. My eyes are focused. It doesn’t matter what happens or how hard life gets, I don’t stop and I don’t give up.
Not anymore!
It’s called PERSEVERANCE!”
There was dead silence.
I’m talking…you could hear a pin drop.
I was quietly praying for the Holy Spirit to speak.
And then, it happened —
My moment of pure honesty pulled the veil from their eyes.
Their reply was, “I don’t have goals. I float. I try to make changes but when I don’t see a result, I go back to the way I’ve always done it. I just give up.”
BOOM!
There it is.
Without a focal point, we end up living by our emotions and get tossed by life, completely losing sight of what we’re supposed to be doing.
Paul’s life is a powerful example to all of us. You know, the one who wrote several letters to the church that we still read today. He kept his focus regardless of where he was, or who he was with. He knew his purpose. It didn’t matter what he faced — he persevered. He was steadfast and unshakable for the Kingdom of God!
He had a focal point and didn’t allow what he felt or what happened to him change that.
Passage after passage through God’s Word reminds us to keep our focus on the goal and persevere through trials. When our eyes are fixed on the vision in front of us, it doesn’t matter how hard life pushes back — through Him, we push back harder and run our race!
We don’t quit…we get to the finish line and get our breakthrough!
And here’s what’s incredible, we do not have to rely on our strength — God put His Spirit in us. The same Spirit that raised the dead back to life!
Seriously.
Soak this in…
Nothing can overtake you in this life when you understand WHO you carry!
So stop letting the vision seem impossible to obtain.
Nothing is impossible for our God, and He is in you!
I have watched too many people get caught up in what’s going on around them, or what’s happened to them, and give up! They lose their footing with every obstacle rather than keeping their focus, grow in spiritual maturity, and learn to persevere.
Family, we have got to get a clear vision for our lives and an understanding of what’s available as citizens of Heaven! No more tapping out and throwing in the towel — “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” -Romans 8:37 (NLT)
What areas in your life need to change?
It’s time to get a vision, tap into His strength within you, and learn what it means to persevere your way to a breakthrough!
