Perseverence

Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee never knew when a violent storm would suddenly form.  Being a Christian does not guarantee us a storm free life.  In fact, we are told to expect trials. James 1:2-4 ESV says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."   We see multiple examples in the Bible of Christians who suffered (2 Cor. 11:23-28, Hebrews 11:36-38).

We persevere in many circumstances.  It may be that you are not seeing the results in ministry you wish to see.  It is hard to remember that God is the one who will bring results, not us.  Success is faithfulness and may be very different from what we expected.  It can be hard to feel unappreciated or unnoticed in your ministry.  We often try to get praise from man instead of praise from God.   There are times where it is easy to focus on the world around us and not on Jesus.  You may have prayers that are unanswered that you have prayed over multiple years.  Perseverance is not fun.  It is not easy.  We are not alone, and we have a hope that keeps us going no matter what.

 God knows your needs.  He gave us desires, and He understands our frustrations with waiting to see good things happen. He does not want us to disconnect from our feelings and desires, but to be willing to sacrifice now for the future God has promised.  God wants us to have joy in the midst of persecution.  God does not want us to lose heart.  We are exhorted in Galatians 6:9 ESV, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."  Listen to Bryan Hart from One Harbor Church in NC as he addresses this subject.

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth....But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefor God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."  Hebrews 11:13, 16 ESV

Charles Stanley wrote in A Touch of His Peace "Know this: As there is calm in the eye of the storm, so there can be calm in the midst of your problem, because Jesus is at the center of your life.  He is not asleep.  He is not immune to your pain, for he himself has suffered the deep pain of the human lot.
"He is on board with you and capable of demonstrating his magnificent deity to you in a myriad of ways.  This is the truth that brings peace to your soul and calm to your emotions.  This is the anchor that holds you in place when everything else seems to pull you loose from your moorings."

"But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." 2 Peter 3:13 ESV