Are you traveling a long road today? What is that particular trial you have found no answer for? Name it.

Does it feel hopeless? Need a little encouragement?

Sometimes we cannot see how God uses troubles in our lives until we take a step back.Do that right now. Stop for a moment. Catch your breath. Now look around you.

Look back down that long path you have been walking. Ask yourself what you have learned? How has God strengthened you because you refuse to give up?

God uses these long stretches to make us stronger. It’s called endurance or perseverance.

By the sheer act of continuing on that path God has laid out before you, God strengthens you.

It’s not so much the distance that matters, but the strength God has grown in you as a result of obeying, and keeping on keeping on.

Take the following verse to heart:

“…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