Four Elements of Positive Perseverance

​Perseverance is defined as keeping at something in spite of discouragement, difficulties, or opposition. Persevering through hardship for any length of time is easier said than done and requires discipline and assistance to do so in a positive manner.
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Below are four basic elements to help you positively persevere:

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1. ​Breathe Deeply - Deep breathing is a stress buster that grounds and centers you. It helps you calm and gather your thoughts; and prepares you to listen for divine instruction. We take breath for granted because it seems automatic, but I know that I for one have had a tendency to hold my breath when feeling overwhelmed or engaging in strenuous exercises, and had to literally remind myself to breathe.
   
   
2. Know What Makes You Smile - Know what makes you feel good from the inside out and shifts your attitude and position positively upward. What makes your soul smile and heart sing? Identify it and choose to operate in it, instead of giving into low spirits and self-pity parties. Praise and worship (singing and dancing to encouraging gospel songs) work for me.
   
   
3. Support Partners - Receive support of accountability and community from people who will tell you the truth and lift you up. Surround yourself with positive people who care about your well-being. Interact with friends and family, who want to help you to positively persevere and overcome. For me, this includes my church family, prayer-line community and significant other.
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4. Faith - Believe that what God has placed in your heart to do, have, and be is for you. Believe you deserve the good God has prepared for you, and that giving up is not an option. Believe that you can make a difference and people are waiting on you and the gifts you have to offer. My faith keeps me going in spite of I may feel or how bleak it may look. I believe God is faithful to do what He promised and will complete the good work He has begun in me. 

“Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.” – James 5:10-11, MSG