Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything                                                                                                                  (James 1:4)

How many times have we been encouraged to 'stick in there, it will turn out fine'? Easy words you may say from those who are not experiencing the difficult times that you are going through. There are times in all of our lives when we face difficulties-family, work, neighbours, finance, relationships, even in our leisure times when some project we started hits a snag- and sometimes it is the easiest thing just to give in and give up. It may bring a sense of relief for a moment, but what of the long term consequences? 
The Bible is full of encouragement to persevere, to stick it out, by those who have gone through trials of various kinds, and come out the other side better for it. The early church was persecuted at every turn. Indeed, Paul writing to the church at Thessalonica says
 ' Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.' Christians who suffered ostracising from the society they grew up in, many lost their possessions, many tortured and killed and yet today, the Church of Christ continues in strength, 2000 years later, regardless of what the media may tell us. Paul had encouraged the Church to ' 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.'
 
Today, may we also persevere with whatever situation faces us, in order to overcome and reap the rewards of our efforts. But we cannot do this alone. It is only in Christ's strength that we become more than conquerors. May this be your 'conquering week'.