The Catholic Defender: Giving in, giving out and giving up-Perseverence

https://deepertruthdon.podbean.com/e/giving-in-giving-out-and-giving-up-perseverence/

The word Persevere comes from the latin words 'per' meaning very and 'severus' meaning strict or harsh.  

As such, Severe, in our lexicon is an adjective that means very great or grave.

This storm is capable of Severe damage or The judge will impose a Severe penalty for this crime.

So, if Severe means very grave, then Persevere literally means very, very grave. In English, it means to persist, despite significant obstacles or trials such as resistance, difficulties or discouragement.

Matthew 24:13 "But the one who endures (Perseveres) to the end will be saved," Perseverance is the steadfast pursuit of goals despite obstacles, distinguishing true character from merely quitting.

It involves enduring when "giving out" (exhaustion) occurs, avoiding "giving up" (total surrender), and strategically "giving in" only when necessary for safety or re-evaluation. True resilience is transforming setbacks into experience, not just stubbornly persisting. 

Sometimes, persevering means holding onto unhealthy risks or rigid goals that no longer serve you. Strategic quitting or "giving in" on specific, non-essential, or detrimental methods can actually support long-term, higher-priority goals.

When energy is depleted, perseverance means taking a break to recharge rather than stopping permanently. It is the ability to handle the "stress ceiling"—the anxiety that occurs when you need to grow to the next level.

While giving up is easy, it often leads to regret and prevents personal growth. Perseverance, by contrast, builds character and resilience.

Perseverance requires maintaining purpose, dealing with disappointment, and leveraging community support. It is about treating failures as lessons, not final destinations. 

Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 

And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that 

He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: 

“Behold, a sower went out to sow. 

And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.  

Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.  

But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.  

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.  

But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Perseverence is not easy, but salvation is impossible without it. Perseverence is impossible without Grace.