This is too hard, Mom! I can’t do this.”
My heart ached for my son. His junior year of high school had brought on a ridiculous amount of homework, research, and writing. I don’t remember having half as much work to do when I was his age.
I looked into my son’s big brown eyes. “Christian, God has given you an amazing brain. You are smart, and you’ve worked hard for your good grades. Now you just have to dig a little deeper. When you are applying to colleges next year, you’ll see the fruit of the seeds you plant this year.”
“That seems like a long way off,” he said with a wry smile as I headed out to buy him one of his favorite (disgusting) fast-food beverages.
It’s hard to keep going when the finish line seems far away. It’s even harder when no one is cheering you on or buying you peculiar blue coconut beverages to refuel you. Furthermore, perseverance has little curb appeal in our culture of microwave speeds and an attitude of entitlement. We want what we want when we want it, but God’s Word has a lot to say about continuing on when you want to quit.
I’ve spent a lot of time on the road for over thirty years, and although I love what I do, every now and then I’ve thought, “This is too hard. I’m done.” Whenever I begin to think like that, I immediately go back to the following passage from the book of Hebrews, a passage that speaks so powerfully of the perseverance of Christ Jesus, our greatest example of all:
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)
“Consider him”! Think about what Jesus persevered through—and that He did so out of love for you and me. Thinking of all Christ has done for us can help us take a deep breath and keep on running!
Consider what Jesus has done for you whenever you grow weary in what you are doing for Him.
Five Minutes in the Word 
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
Romans 5:3–5
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
John 6:27 NIV
“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 24:12–13
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12