Lessons Learned from My Sickness – Part 4: The Strength of Perseverance
By Pastor Ronny Luces
St. Paul encouraged the Roman Christians, “We also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance” (Rom. 5:3).
The Apostle James also gave this very profound reminder, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-3).
I find the true and deep meaning of these verses in my sickness – because I experienced what it is to face suffering up close and personal.
I discovered that, indeed, perseverance has the strength to change our outlook, make us view our situation from a different perspective, and give us the strength to carry on despite hardships.
Perseverance has the strength to change sorrow to rejoicing, negative to positive, and being defeatist to victorious.
Without perseverance, it is easy to curl into a corner and give up. It is easy to put our hands up and stop struggling. It is easy to lose hope.
But thanks be to God for this gift of perseverance. He made me look at my situation and made me view it as a blessing.
God has blessed me – because he gave me the opportunity to practice perseverance!
Posted on FB: 3 March 2015 – 12:06 PM
About the Author
Rev. Ronny Luces was the Minister for Administration and Community Service of the Jaro Evangelical Church (JEC), Iloilo City, Philipines. He and his wife, Martha have been with JEC’s ministry since 1994.
Pastor Ronny graduated from Central Philippine University College of Theology in 1985 and was pastor of several Baptist churches.
In January 2015, after tests and two long hospital confinements, Pastor Ronny got the word he had lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy.
Praying for healing and going through all the medical processes, Pastor Ronny wrote his reflections “Lessons Learned from My Sickness”. In July 2015, he passed away.
May Pastor Ronny’s series of reflections and meditations strengthen your hope and faith as you go through your own life’s battles.
PHOTO CREDIT: Perseverance by Brian Walter via Flickr Creative Commons License. The photo has been cropped to fit website requirement.
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