Don't Give Up When Times Get Tough

God is more interested in what you are becoming than what you've accomplished. Why do bad things happen? Why is life so difficult sometimes? Don’t be surprised if God is using tough times in your life to test your faithfulness. Faithful people keep on keeping on when other people want to give up. Faithful people are diligent and determined. They are persistent. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul says you need to get the right perspective when you are going through a problem. Don’t look at the temporary problem; look at the long-term reward. Don’t look at the temporary pain; look at the long-term gain. Don’t look at it with the short-term view, “What’s happening to me right now?” Instead, look at the character that you are building because you haven’t given up. You’re hanging in there. If you are facing difficult times right now, I want to challenge you to write this verse on a 3x5 card and memorize:  “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT). I pray it will encourage you to keep going.  - Rick Warren Determination