I recently wrote and posted an article entitled, “I Just Can’t do this Anymore.” I couple days later, I received some valuable feedback from one of my faithful readers. He thanked me for writing it. He shared that he needed it because he has been “really struggling at work.” It occurred to me that I may not have been as practical as I could have been. How does God help us to persevere?

By the grace of God, I have been able to persevere over my 40-year military career as a Soldier and civilian. I never felt like I wanted to quit. I certainly did not hang in there all this time due to sheer willpower in the weakness of my own flesh. Where did my encouragement come from? The writer of Ps. 121:1-2 answers that question quite simply: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Those who have come to know God through faith in Jesus Christ have a distinct advantage. We can directly experience His presence, inspiration, peace, and people to help us to get through the difficult days, weeks, months, and years. Please join me as I unpack the things God provides to enable us persevere.

God’s presence overcomes fear

When I truly experience God’s presence, it gives me power to overcome just about anything. Psalm 139:7-12 thoroughly describes the ways in which God is always present with us. King David mentions that wherever he goes, vertically or horizontally, north or south, east or west, in darkness or in light, God is right there. David feels God’s presence because of the fact that He is present.

The Apostle Paul knew a lot about suffering. It was God’s presence that got him through every trial. He wrote: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Cor. 4:8-10.)

Inspiration comes from wisdom

Another way in which God gives us tools to cope with the pressures all around us is inspiration. A really creative way to solve a particular problem can make all the difference in how we approach and execute our job. Where do these creative solutions or ideas come from? Their source is the wisdom given by God, which can be defined as practical ways to put knowledge to work. My wife often reminds our children that God promises to give wisdom whenever we lack it (James 1:5).

Inspiration is like any other gift that is graciously given by God. Good food, a beautiful spouse, wonderful children, healthy minds and bodies all make it possible to fulfill the callings God has given to each of us. James reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

His peace comes from trust

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27) It is the same peace that allowed Jesus to fall asleep on the boat even though His disciples were terrified. Unexplainable peace can calm the inner storm when we trust God. All we have to do is to not let our hearts be troubled.

Paul described the peace of God as a calmness “which transcends all understanding” (Phil 4:7). It guards our hearts and minds from excess worry and anxiety, allowing us to rest in God’s plans. I have personally experienced God’s peace fairly consistently throughout my Christian life. When I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in control, I can press on despite the circumstances.

People give us a purpose

Many of the people we work for and with are the source of much of our frustrations. Sometimes, God graciously provides certain people to come alongside us at just the right time. These are faithful friends and family members we can lean on as they mentor us and help us see our purpose.

My adult children and my wife are much better at spending time with their close friends than I am. Friends can make a huge difference, enabling us to push through the endless demands on our time and energy. I have had a handful of mentors who have helped me, but mostly, it was my wife and kids who depended on me to work hard to financially support our family that kept me pressing on.

How do I know it when I see it?

When we begin to receive one or more of these supernatural resources God makes available to each of His children, we can faithfully press on through every temptation, trial, and challenge we face.

For example, as a Soldier on a training exercise in the California desert, I dwelled on God’s presence to get me through the long nights where I had to pull guard duty for two hours on/two hours off. A stay-at-home parent might find a helpful article on time-saving ways to prepare meals to assist with time management. A farmer, knowing God’s peace despite crop failures, droughts, etc., can stay positive because he knows God is in control. A teacher, burning out from constant discipline problems and silly administrative nonsense can find encouragement through sharing a cup of coffee with a friend and spending time with family in the summer.

Closing thoughts

I trust that you have been blessed as we considered how God provides help at just the right time in a variety of ways in order to help us to persevere though His presence, wisdom, peace, and people.

Let me leave you with a final challenge from God’s Word. I know I need to be reminded of it often. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband, grandfather, blogger, and author of Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession. With degrees in mathematics and biblical studies, his career spans teaching, youth ministry, military service, and civilian work at Fort Leonard Wood. He writes to help others experience God’s presence and integrate faith at work. His articles appear in military journals and faith-based platforms including The Gospel Coalition, Made to Flourish, and the Center for Faith & Work.

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