2 Peter 1:5-8
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST."

    When we see the word perseverance we think of the following through with something.  However, perseverance is more than following through, it is long-suffering.  This means to stand by, stick to, follow through with an action of some sort even though it may take a very long time.  Sometimes, following through an assignment, an action, or a commitment made entails not only patience, but it can be extremely difficult, challenging, or stretching.  Walking the Christian life, though, is not supposed to be easy!  It is supposed to be life-changing. 

   Just think for a moment.  We live in a time of the world when everything is expected to happen quickly.  We buy 'fast' food, 'instant' rice, 'instant' pudding, and 'quick' oatmeal.  When we pray, or set our hand to the plow in our lives, we can easily slip into the mindset that we should see instant results.  However, it is GOD'S timing that is perfect.  He works out everything in our lives to His glory. What happens in our lives affects others.  Therefore, trusting that He will bring about results in the proper time requires much patience and yes, long-suffering on our parts.

    Opening our hearts to GOD and standing with Him by persevering will change our lives and bring us an incredible peace through any situation we may face!