My Word of the Year & Video

The Gutsy Race of Perseverance by Janet Chester Bly

Last year I believe God led me to a theme song, “Get Used to Different,”* as my word of the year to live by. I repeated that phrase over and over as I made a move to a new town. So many changes I experienced and challenges I faced in that overwhelming relocation. But this year I took on a single word that jumped out to me as a Plugged Into God** verse I read.

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1b).

Yes! Perseverance, that’s what I needed for so many big projects and pressing problems ahead.

Many Tasks

I persevered for months on a learning curve for preparing twice-weekly Stephen Bly Down a Western Trail audio podcasts and blogs for my late husband’s talks. The Idaho Health Department asked me to be a substitute leader for several Fit & Fall Proof ™ exercise classes for Seniors, a major perseverance venture since I considered aerobics not in my comfort zone. And I signed up for three study classes, on topics of prophecy, leadership, and the life of King David.

Meanwhile, I dealt with several chronic health issues. And I paid attention to daily divinely-given prayer assignments for my family, friends, and our nation. In addition, I struggled to find a place in an area church where I might belong and figure out some new, compatible relationships.

Perseverance as Outward Action, Inward Motivation

To persevere provided a great foundation for building character and accomplishing tasks in this uncertain season of my life. What a strong, gutsy word, salt and peppered with zeal. I could be steadfast, persistent, and devoted while full of endurance and stamina. It was a ‘get up and go when I don’t want to’ kind of word.

Through this word of the year I found a way to steady my nerves and strengthen my resolve. I could run with patience the path of my long lists. As I persevered, I kept the faith, determined to do right. I learned all I possibly could about what God’s doing in the world and my part in it. Perseverance in a biblical direction brought confidence and a moral spine, a spiritual backbone. In spite of discouragement, I could wade through confusion, doubt, and other tests of my faith. I had it made.

Or did I?

Something Seemed Missing

Perseverance is also a trudge and grudge kind of word. Lots of service and hard work can mean white knuckle determination. I developed some toughness and grit but also a tendency to unbending stubbornness. That wasn’t conducive to being open to flexibility, spontaneous guidance, or getting along with people. I also longed for a closer walk in relationship with Him, as His daughter, His friend, not just be my Door Dash guy. While persevering, I asked, “Lord, what do You want of me?”

In time I sensed I needed something more. So I plugged deeper  into my theme verse.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter or our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2).

I needed an add-on, perseverance with something else, like Jesus JOY.

The Joy Plus Factor

Joy is more than a feeling. It’s based on knowledge, such as incredibly good news.

Jesus had joy because He knew what His suffering and resolve would lead to. He envisioned the good things ahead, so He held onto submission for the rewards. He knew He would soon sit down in a place of honor at the right hand of the throne of God. Back with His Father in heaven, He’d celebrate for eternity because His sacrifice meant multitudes of humans who would believe in Him, receive His salvation, and follow Him. I longed for the Jesus’ touch of exuberance and enthusiasm combined with the strength of perseverance. So I would not grow weary and lose heart.

Add Hope

I discovered other Bible verses such as Romans 5:1-5 and 2 Peter 1:5-9 also reveal additional perseverance add-ons. And another plug-in, the key factor evidently turned on the presence and action of the Holy Spirit.

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:5).

I needed my own hope in a future reward, an expectation of good things up ahead. With all my persevering, I also searched for signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth, to keep me from losing heart and growing weary.

Add Love

Courage is an absolutely necessary trait for living through this life’s troubles and tribulation. But along the way, I knew I also must exhibit kindness, warm-hearted affection, and compassion to those around me. Life ruled hard for each one of them too. While surrounded by hordes of strangers in my unfamiliar environment, I wanted to like many of them, and to even grow to love them deeply, like Jesus did. Only God could help me. Only a fresh baptism of His Spirit would do.

I also craved to feel His warm love and acceptance for me, His affirmation that, hey, I’m okay, I’m doing good. That way I could relax once in a while. I asked Him to Father me. He began to help me with a word here and a teaching there to deal with and release heart issues of fear and anxiety, offense and hurt. With surrender and release, I could resist, strip, and throw off stuff that hindered, slowed me down, held me back.

Ironically, this led to better perseverance. And perseverance could lead to sightings of signs, wonders, and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12).

Add Peace

I love to sit quietly waiting before Him, giving time for full trust of Him to seep into my pores. But nothing brings me peace faster than a peek into, a grasp of the bigger picture of what God’s doing in our world. That also takes stopping long enough to stay still and pay attention. When I see by His Spirit the God factor beyond the insanity and chaos, the unthinkable and unprecedented, I more easily lean in and trust Him, no matter what. But maybe that’s just me.

Then I have a word of my own to offer; a creative, life-filled message for the hurting, sick, and wounded He might bring my way. I can add His encouragement and my gratefulness through my stories of what He’s done for me. And any of these uplifting attitudes steps just persevering up a whole big notch with a lovely growth in grace.

Let’s Pray

“’O Lord, we love to do your will! Our hearts’ desire is to glorify your name’ (Isaiah 26:8). Open a heavenly window that allows us to witness some of Your glorious work in our world. Lift our plodding persevering into a cheerful submission by a breakthrough to your signs, wonders, and miracles. That can only happen by Your Holy Spirit, fully alive and released in fullness within us. Let it be! In Jesus Name, Amen.”

~~ Janet Chester Bly

Copyright©2022

Suggestion for comments below. What has been your Word of the Year? Or what’s God teaching you about perseverance or how to get the joy of Jesus? 

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Credits

*Song “Get Used to Different” sung by Mandisa & Ronnie Freeman for The Chosen Series
**Phrase inspired by Plugged Into God devotionals by Keri Rinard Fleming of Valley Girls at River City Church, Lewiston, Idaho

Woman Block Robot Image by Deanna Konz from Pixabay
Missing Puzzle Pieces Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
Well Done Sign Image by Oberholster Venita from Pixabay

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Plugged Into God “Word of the Year” Video

“WORD OF THE YEAR” VIDEO Janet Chester Bly

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YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY “See How They Run” Meditation & Audio Podcast by Janet Chester Bly and Stephen Bly HERE:

SEE HOW THEY RUN Meditation & Podcast