This week, we take our last look at the character trait of perseverance in spiritual leadership and how it relates to our attitude during trials in life. Since our personal attitude determines our behaviors and actions, it is clear that our attitude toward tough times usually determines our perseverance and seeing it through. It determines how we handle spiritual leadership. Huxley said, “Experience is not what happens to you; it is how you handle what happens to us.” If God brings it to us, He will bring us through it when we persevere and trust Him. C. S. Lewis said, “God allows us to experience the low points in life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way.”

We have already looked at how leaders are made, not born. Perseverance during trials is a part of being made and gives us the experience to handle bigger challenges in the future when we maintain the right attitudes and trust in God. Trials and circumstances may also further the cause of Christ through our example of how we handle and lead through them and follow God’s guidance. In Philippians 1:12-13, Paul wrote, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the Gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become known.” This should be our linkage of attitude and perseverance as we lead our lives and families, as well as at work.

God has a purpose for everything in our lives and will always watch how much we endure and trust Him. Warren Wiersbe made this statement, “When you are in the furnace, your Father keeps His eyes on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows just how much we can take.” Life goes smoothly for us much of the time, but we all face tough times which are a part of life and God’s plans. This is how we grow and mature to become more Christlike and stronger spiritual leaders. It is our decision to link the proper attitude with perseverance as we walk through life.