The messy middle is the mud pit many dreams die in.

They start well but don’t reach the end.

There’s a good reason for this. The Continuation phase of creative and spiritual endeavours can be tough. They require putting your foot forward despite your feelings. Showing up when the emotional or financial payoff seems paltry.

That’s why the Bible brings the power twins to the arena to help you through.

“…do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12 NKJV)

Faith alone is not enough. He needs his tag twin, patience.

“Lord, Give Me Patience!”

Praying for patience is understandable, but a bit like praying for six-pack abs.

“Lord, give me six-pack abs.”

“Eat right, drink water, and go to the gym, son. And here’s the means and opportunity to do it.”

“Mmmm, not so sure about that, Lord. Can’t you buff my belly without the discipline?”

Silence.

When the Lord answers a prayer for patience, it doesn’t come in a fluffy box with a ribbon. It knocks down the door in the guise of tribulation, challenges, setbacks and disappointments.

We pray, give me patience. He answers with circumstances that demand we exercise the inner fruit of longsuffering. I like that good old King James rendition. It’s as honest as a stick round the head – patience = suffering for the long haul. It’s the painful pathway to perfection.

Because patience is a fruit that’s grown not a gift that’s given. And the soil it thrives in is often a field full of challenges and opportunities to give up.

Challenges Shape Champions

The spiritual gym works the same way.

“tribulation worketh patience;” (Romans 5:3 KJV)

Continuing when things feel hard develops the necessary character to succeed.

And the daily discipline, no different to a gym regime, provides the conduits of character through which faith can flow freely and fruit can flourish.

If a creative project is precious enough to begin, and has the potential to produce, it’s worth pressing through the pain to see it come to pass.

• The book you are writing.
• The business you are building.
• The ministry you have undertaken.
• The skills you are developing.
• The prayer life you are pursuing.

All of them will require gumption.

What Do You See?

Jesus saw a joy before Him that propelled Him through circumstances we can’t comprehend (Hebrews 12:2). He saw the end and was ready to pay the price to get there.

What do you see as the payoff?

Is it greater than the price you’ll pay to get there?

Frame your finish line with faith (Hebrews 11:3) and let patience have her perfect work to help you get there:

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4 KJV)

There’s a grace to commence.

And there’s a grace to continue.

Is it easy? Often not.

But it’s worth it!