Anchored in Community and Mission – Day 28 – Staying the Course
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Scripture Reading:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 NIV
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Devotional Thought
What’s something in your life right now that feels heavier than you expected?
Not dramatic—just tiring, discouraging, or harder to keep showing up for.
Real faith doesn’t show up when life is easy. It shows up when things get heavy.
The Bible is surprisingly honest about this. It never says hardship is fun or that you should pretend everything’s fine. What it does say is that pressure can shape you in ways comfort never will.
There’s a word Scripture uses for this: perseverance. It’s not toughness or pretending you’re okay. It’s choosing to keep moving forward—even when you’re tired, unsure, or hurting.
Another passage says that when we keep going through difficulty, something forms inside us: character. And over time, that character produces a kind of hope that doesn’t fall apart when life gets unpredictable. Not blind optimism—but grounded confidence that you’re not alone and that your story isn’t finished.
Jesus knows what it’s like to endure. He faced rejection, suffering, and loss—and He didn’t check out. The Bible says He now walks with you through your struggles, not watching from a distance.
Following Jesus doesn’t remove difficulty from life. But it does mean your struggles aren’t wasted. Every step you take—especially the hard ones—is shaping you into someone more grounded, more resilient, and more anchored.
What you’re facing right now isn’t proof that your faith is weak. It may be the very place it’s being strengthened.
Practice for Today
Take a moment and name one thing that feels heavy right now.
Bring it honestly to God and say, “Jesus, help me keep going today—with You.”
Then take one small, steady step forward.
Reflection Questions
Where in your life are you being invited to stay present and keep moving, even when it’s hard?
Mentor / Mentee Meet Up — Get together to share.
1. HEAD — What am I learning about God?
2. HEART — What is God speaking to me?
3. HANDS — What are my next steps?