What a funny word huh?  Dictionary.com defines it this way: to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.  We’ve seen many people persevere through things.  A cancer survivor, a prisoner of war, an athlete coming back from a severe injury, etc.  Most of us have had to deal with something in our live that we had do persevere through. 

Job of the Bible had to persevere though so many things that happened to him.  And through that story, and my own perseverance, I have learned many things also.  This past weekend was one of those trials.  Our car broke down in the middle of Columbus on Saturday.  After we finally found a repair shop that was open, he let us have the bad news.  Our transmission needed a new sensor, we needed a new wheel bearing, and a new belt.  All in all, I get to hand over over $1000 in parts and labor.  Just when we were making some great progress financially.

And in times like these it’s easy for us to ask God the question “Why?”  Why me, Why did this happen to me, etc.  But as we learn through Job’s story, the question “Why?” isn’t the one we should be asking.  Because when we keep asking God why things happen, we lose sight of the most important questions.

What are you trying to teach me through this situation?

How can I prevent this from happening again?

What crisis was avoided because of this?

See in our situation, if our transmission wouldn’t have stopped working, the mechanic told us that more than likely our wheel bearing would have snapped off as we were driving 70 MPH down the highway on our way home.  Thank God for our broken transmission.  Whether we learn it through Job’s story, or our own stories, the question “Why?” isn’t the most important question to be answered.  But the most important thing we can learn is that no matter how bad things get here, we can still be filled with JOY knowing that our eternity is secure in Jesus Christ.

James 1:2 – 4 – Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Now Playing – Sanctus Real – Whatever You’re Doing