“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, NIV).

I’ll be transparent, there are times when I don’t feel like obeying God’s call to write. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of it. It’s just that sitting down at my laptop and actually putting fingers to keys some days is much harder than one might assume. The writer’s life is not always glamorous, you know. Yes, writing can be fun and creative, and we all love the finished product, but it can also be just plain hard—especially when you don’t yet see the fruit of your labor. Some days, the inspiration I need to write doesn’t come. Other days, there’s a million and one distractions that make it difficult for me to focus on the task at hand. Still, others days, bottom line . . . I simply don’t feel like it.

Today, for instance, I am tired. And by tired, I mean that it’s only 9:30 a.m., I’ve already had my morning shot of caffeine, and still, I could easily lie down on the couch and immediately fall asleep. What do you do when you know what you ought to do, but you don’t feel like doing it? Do you tell yourself, I’ll do it tomorrow? I’ll start my diet again, tomorrow. I’ll do the dishes and the laundry, tomorrow. I’ll apply for that job, tomorrow. I’ll reach out to that friend I haven’t talked with in a while, tomorrow. You get the picture. Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes putting something off for a while to take care of other things (including yourself), can be the very best thing to do! Other times, however, it’s actually an act of disobedience—especially when you know God is calling you to persevere in doing something He’s clearly told you to do, but you’d rather be doing something else.

While it can be tempting to allow our feelings, distractions, or other, to keep us from obedience to the Lord, in choosing to deny ourselves and persevere in obedience to Him instead, we demonstrate our trust in Him, believing that He knows what is best for us. Our obedience also clearly communicates to God that we love Him, because to obey often means leaving behind other things (or potential idols) to follow Him and His ways instead. In so doing, God promises us that one day we will receive the crown of life as our reward (James 1:12).

Despite how tempted I was today to give into my fatigue and to take a nap instead of write, I felt a Holy Spirit conviction that God was calling me to persevere under pressure. So, instead of nap, I sat myself down in front of my laptop to write. Still not sure of what to write, I looked up at the bulletin board hanging next to my computer desk, and a note I had posted there a while back caught my eye. It read:

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

How do we persevere in obedience when it’s easier to give in to temptation, though? I don’t know about you, but temptation can be a pretty powerful thing! It can be hard to stand firm through the testing of our faith.

Romans 8:12–13 tells us, “Therefore, brother and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

According to Romans 8:12–13, it’s by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us that we are able to put to death the misdeeds of the body and live! In other words, if you are a Christian, the Spirit of Jesus Christ is living in you, empowering you with everything you need to live a holy, Godly life.

In addition, it helps me to remain steadfast in obedience to what God’s called me to do when I can remember my why. My why is my motivation. It’s the reason I got started in my call to write, the reason I will keep going when I don’t feel like it, and my reason for seeing my commitments and goals through to the finish line. That being said, I’ll tell you what my why is . . . It’s Jesus!

Believing that Jesus bought and paid for me with His own blood to rescue me out of the pit of sin I was in and give me eternal life; that He was pleased to call me His own and put His Holy Spirit in me, giving me value and purpose; and that He has promised to perfectly love me faithfully, forever—I know I can persevere in obedience to Him out of my love for Him because of the love He first showed me!

The Bible says, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). In other words, we can continue to love God and love others, even on the days we don’t necessarily feel like it, because God first loved us by sending His one and only Son to die on a cross for the redemption of our souls. 

Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that there are times when my flesh and heart are resistant to Your will. Rather than desiring to persevere in obedience when faced with trials and temptation, I want to quit. I don’t always remember to trust that You are with me to help me do all that You’ve called me to do. I often fail to recognize what an honor and privilege it is to be chosen to partner with You in furthering Your kingdom here on earth. Please help me to never lose sight of this. Help me to love and honor You with the one life You’ve gifted me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.