Hope for a ‘mudder’

Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.— Romans 5:3-4

When my husband built a covered porch on the front of our house, he anticipated that someday a bird might try to build a nest there. So he built the top of the corner post on a slant. Later we laughed smugly when we saw robins trying their best to claim squatting rights to a new home. Piles of grass on the porch revealed their wasted efforts. But after 2 days of steady rain, we saw that a nest had indeed appeared in the very spot we thought was impossible. Because of the rain, Mrs. Robin was able to mix up a batch of mud mortar. Weaving it with twigs and grass, our determined feathered friend had built herself a new nest. She had persevered.

Perseverance is inspiring! Trying to live a Christ-honoring life while experiencing hardship can leave us frustrated and discouraged. But when we depend on God to help us through our difficulties, we are empowered to keep going even when we can’t always see the resolution of our problems. Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow “weary while doing good” and encourages us not to give up.

Is our loving God using a seemingly insurmountable challenge in your life to produce perseverance? Let Him produce in you character, and through character, hope (Rom. 5:3-4). — Cindy Hess Kasper

When trials intrude

to slow down your life,

It would be easy for you to give in;

But by perseverance

you’ll overcome strife,

So just keep on plodding —

with Christ you can win. — Branon

READ: James 1:2-4

When the world says, ‘Give up,’

hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time!’