In the woods of northern Virginia, I learned many lessons. Crawling through muddy water in November, running the obstacle course more times than I could count, and sitting in classes simply trying to stay awake, [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#prmilwomen #milwomen” hidden_urls=”www.plantingroots.net/keepgoing”]God taught me some of the greatest lessons of life.[/tweetthis] More than teamwork and leadership skills, I learned that life can be a bit bumpy, a little challenging, but perseverance is necessary for success.
Perseverance.
I showed up at Officer Candidate School (OCS) at the age of thirty one. It’s a long story, but let’s just say almost everyone there was a bit younger. Thirty one is not old by any means, the older I get the younger it seems, but it certainly wasn’t twenty one either. The entire ten weeks of that experience reminded me every day that perseverance was key.
When they woke us up each day, my goal was simply to get out of bed. If I could pull that off, surely I could make it the rest of the day. Sometimes I wondered. I have never hurt so much in my life. I was in pretty good shape when I showed up. My Physical Fitness Test (PFT) score was not mediocre. I had really worked to be physically ready for this.
Yet every morning I woke up, getting out of bed was quite painful. I was a mess. I tore my triceps muscle in one arm, strained one of my knees, and had two stress fractures in one of my feet. All in ten weeks. I finished, though.
I had learned land navigation, leadership skills, military knowledge, and Marine Corps history. These lesson were important, but not the most important lesson. The most important lesson would come from God himself as He would remind me every day to simply keep going.
It’s a great lesson in life. God talks much about perseverance in Scripture, although He doesn’t always use this exact word. In Scripture, it can be referred to as endurance, diligence, steadfastness, or waiting. All words that seem easier said than done.
Life can feel much like an eight-mile-hike along a slippery, muddy ridge in the sleet of those northern Virginia woods. It can also start to feel like the sleep deprivation, body aches, and obstacles that seem too big to conquer. These translate simply to real life.
Scripture is our lifeline:
Psalms 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
There are so many more Scriptures that tell us to hang in there and keep going. [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][tweetthis]He is worth it and He is faithful.[/tweetthis]
Has your perseverance been tested? Are there Scriptures God gave to you during that time?
On Friday, check back to see the other two lessons God taught me during that time and feel free to share what God has taught you in your times of challenge.
Kori Yates loves adventure and her ongoing stint as an Army wife has given her just that. Desiring to bring together Christian military women and impact a globe for Christ, she has helped launch Planting Roots. Through events live and online, their prayer is for revival among military women. Kori is also an author (Olive Drab Pom-Poms) and speaker, as well as is a homeschooling mom of two amazing kids and wife to one awesome Soldier. Learn more about Kori here.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
