So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while. — Hebrew 10:35-37
Simply put, stick with it. Don’t quit! And don’t take no for an answer. Instead, pray daily, use your imagination and find a way around your obstacles — persistence pays!
In his 13 principles for success, self-help author Napoleon Hill said of persistence (and I ‘m paraphrasing): Persistence is an essential factor in transmuting desire into good health, to a better job, to increasing your business stream of income, to building the congregation of your church, to your monetary goal no matter what it is you seek.
This week, allow me to share a message that I received from The Washington Informer seven years ago. The message said:
“Dear Ms. Lyndia: As a frequent reader of the Excellent Washington Informer Newspaper, I was most inspired by your article in the September 14, 2017 ‘The Religious Corner — Keep Going Through Storms of Life.’ Your inspirational article motivated me to respond to you in a positive optimistic manner-actually rendering me “hope” to believe and never give up in obtaining a financial victory! I am a senior citizen-age 69- and a long-time resident of DC. I am also a retired DC Public School Teacher rendering 39 years of outstanding service to the school system. Please find below a poem that I keep in my bedroom as a means of inspiration in order for me to keep the faith and continue to trust in God! I pray daily which includes a plethora of prayers. Blessings to you and your family as well! Geraldine Scott Jackson/BS/MA.”
Here’s that poem:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
when the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit – rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow – you may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor’s cup;
and he learned too late when the night came down,
how close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out – the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
and when you never can tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems afar;
so stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit – it’s when things seem worst, you must not quit.
This email came during one of the times I was sharing the 13 Principles to Success from “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. I was covering the principle of “Persistence” to show how the power of continuing even when it feels like everything in you is telling you to quit. If only you had just kept going, your life would be different now and for the rest of your life. Can you imagine that kind of stick-to-itiveness! That is exactly what it takes.
You cannot find anyone who has really reached their goals who did not stay the course — they went the distance. The summer Olympics are coming up soon. Every athlete who reaches the success of becoming a member of the prestigious team understands this principle. They are up before dawn, doing one thing or another toward reaching that goal they dream of. They are persistent, if nothing else. Many have less talent than others who did not try. Look at the difference in one life versus the one who never tried.
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, visit her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on Twitter @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.
