Perseverance is one of the most admirable qualities that a person could ever have. A man or woman may not possess outstanding skill, extraordinary charisma, or noticeable good looks. Yet, if that person has perseverance, he or she can achieve great things. Persevering is the act of pressing towards a goal and not stopping until a particular objective is reached. It reminds us of similar words such as determination and persistence.
When we think of spiritual giants in the Bible, we notice that perseverance is a prevailing attitude among them. This trait is present in Jacob, who never stopped until he got anything he desired. As a result, he got three special things from different situations: a birthright, the woman of his dreams, and a blessing from an angel.
Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, also possess this attitude of perseverance. Besides persecutions, reviling, and countless hardships, he was never stopped from his goal of spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. He was the one who wrote the inspiring words: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus...". Paul died persevering when he was beheaded by Emperor Nero in Rome. Yet, his acts remain memorable to us this very day, and in his writings, he believed that a crown of righteousness is laid up for him in heaven. Thus, we can say that his acts were not in vain.
