What Makes You Persevere? And Any Book Updates?

What makes you persevere?

We’re still here, so apparently, we have persevered through the winter, and now spring unfolds upon us. Thank You, Lord! “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord….” *

What makes you persevere? This question can take us in many directions, and no matter the direction (personal, psychological, spiritual, relational, or theological), it will take us deep into its own country.

I could story-tell about my winter in Florida, and I’d rather like to do so. I’d also like to delve into the biblical challenge to persevere as explained in Romans chapter 5. “Having been justified by faith… we exult in hope…”(Romans 5:1). Biblical hope empowers me to persevere. The Holy Spirit can use this chapter to motivate us. Before I say anymore about hope-induced perseverance, let me update you on some activity regarding my book, A Traveler’s Guide through Suffering and Joy.

While in Florida this winter, I worked with my publisher on some edits and small but helpful changes to my book which came out last November. On a number of blank pages (divider pages), we’ve added some simple charts, which aren’t necessary but will be helpful for the reader. Future printings will have these changes.

My publisher also developed an e-book or Kindle book version, which is now available wherever you order such. I bought one on Amazon, and the changes are there. There are advantages to an e-book, but I’ve never used one before, so I need to practice marking up a book, adding bookmarks, and finding my way around a book this way. The one disadvantage right now is that the charts don’t translate well to this format, so the boxes can be distorted. Otherwise, an e-book can be helpful. It is portable, handy, and less expensive.

Have you checked out my website where you can learn more about the book? Have you ordered a copy for yourself or a friend?

I’m starting to lead studies based upon my book. First, in Florida, I led a two session class which I called a book tour — to introduce and orient the small group to this interactive book. This gave the participants (book travelers) a good start and we had some meaningful and sweet interaction. When I return to Florida, I hope to lead an eight week Bible study, a plan that is currently on the planning table at our church in Florida.

This Thursday, April 3, I begin an eight week study of the book with a group of ladies in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am very excited about this. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Yes, the book cover calls the study “a 12-week Bible journey”, but I’m attempting it in eight weeks, with the possibility of a ninth session for closure as a Travelers’ Tea — a fellowship and testimony luncheon.

I also hope to do some recordings to place on my website, KarenThomasOlsen.com, for students of this book to use. This may be helpful for those who don’t have a group to travel with through the book.

This book project is part of my project in persevering. Persevering is the process of keeping on keeping on, as I see it. The biblical idea of perseverance is “to remain under,” which is the idea of patience or endurance, not running away or give up or giving in — all of which I’d like to do, although I see no positive consequence in doing so. I just want to escape what I don’t like — what hurts, what scares me…. Dr. Zodhiates describes patience or endurance as “the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.”**

I remember that song, “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.” Perseverance (patience or endurance) is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables me to lean on the Lord. It is so sad that this does not come naturally, an evidence of my innate nature, my sin nature. God’s lovingkindness is His patience with me as I awkwardly grow in Christ. I’m sure you identify with this. Under pressure (through various trials), God’s faithful lovingkindness is the basis of our hope, gratitude, and tenacity.

Back to Romans 5: 1-5. Read it slowly:

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.***

Take note of the words perseverance, proven character, and hope, and their relationship to tribulation. Note that the word, hope, is repeated three times. Why doesn’t biblical hope disappoint us? Where does God pour out His love? Who does God give to us?

James 4:8 challenges us to draw near to God, and the book of Romans shows us how this is possible.

While God’s Word woos me to lean on Him, my troubling health tempts me to distraction. This past winter my noisy body made even our Florida days often difficult, and returning to Indiana recently has not improved my situation.  I’d like to spill the beans to you right now, but that would be tedious on you and me. I say this much to let you know that I’m losing ground physically, and I’ve had some real scares.

So, when I say I’ve persevered and I’m persevering, that is what I mean. I don’t know that I’m always doing it well. Sometimes, I don’t know how to make decisions, such as pursing this doctor or that, or going to the emergency room or waiting it out. It gets confusing.

The book has given me goals. Goals are evidence of faith and hope, and they express purpose, which stirs joy and more hope.

I want to be strong enough and faithful enough to teach the biblical truths laid out in my book this April and May. A part of this class is group “koinonia,” which is needed, and by God’s grace will be  nurtured. Koinonia is the sharing of life together among believers.

Please pray that such blessed sharing, teaching, learning, and growing will blossom this spring through this class I’m leading.  I have a friend who has invited the ladies and has helped me plan, and will be my hostess. The class is being held in my home, so I don’t have to go anywhere. I have said in my book that I’m praying for those who read/study the book, and so I am. And now I can not only pray for, but I can also actually engage with a whole group of people together.

I also know of several other groups pursuing this study this spring and year, so there are many people to be praying for. Everyone needs the Lord. We all need to grow and persevere in Him, to love and serve others.

Everyone needs a biblically tethered theology, a working framework and perspective about God and His relationship with us and His entire creation, feeding and leading each of us. (Yes, the rich fullness of life lived in Christ, following Him, begs for a mixing of the metaphors. There are so many angles to touch! The Apostle Paul would say, “Amen!”)

We need a theology that leads our own personal dance with the good, the joy, the bad and the suffering in our lives and in the lives of others around us.  The music sings, “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord….”  The hope-induced dance continues:

“…And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).

Lord, let this Traveler’s Guide, rich in Scripture, deeply enrich every person it touches. May the Lord deeply touch you, my dear reader.

*https://gospelchoruses.wordpress.com/2020/04/17/weve-come-this-far-by-faith/

** Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible (Lexical Aids: 5278, 5281). ***https://biblehub.com/nasb_/romans/5.htm.