When Tireless Effort Still Bears No Fruit

One afternoon, my wife and I were about to attend a wedding reception at a restaurant on Pemuda Street, Semarang. Riding together on a motorcycle, we set out for Simpang Lima. However, the route we planned to take was closed because there was an event. So we turned around to go through another road, which also turned out to be closed for an evening entertainment program.

Not giving up, we took the smaller streets, and after going quite a long way around, we finally arrived at the reception venue. One closed road after another did not make us lose heart and go back home.

Reflecting on this incident, I realized that perseverance enables us to get through various difficulties.

But what should we do when we have already fought hard and still do not see a way out?

Problems Come with Solutions

Not everyone persists in looking for a way out of their problems. As human beings, we are vulnerable to despair or laziness. The good news is that every problem has a solution. God allows us to experience certain problems because He knows we are able to face them.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “The temptations you experience are ordinary temptations, not beyond human strength. But God is faithful, and therefore He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength. When you are tempted, He will also provide a way out, so that you can endure it.”

When we face a difficult new problem, there must be positive things God wants us to learn. So, focus on the solution, not the problem.

For that, let us see how the following three Bible characters dealt with their problems. Perhaps they were once tempted to make excuses, take shortcuts, or simply give up. But what happened when they chose the right path?

1. The Ant - Diligent and Never Gives Up (Proverbs 6:6-11)

Did you know that giving up easily is one form of laziness?

Laziness is an everyday problem that must not be underestimated because it can lead to serious problems later on. Being lazy to pray, for example, can weaken faith and distance our relationship with God.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise: though it has no commander, overseer, or ruler, it prepares its food in summer and gathers its provision at harvest. – Proverbs 6:6-8

Ants do not have a general or a manager, much less pocket money to attend self-development seminars. Yet, without being told or watched, they diligently search everywhere for food.

I once saw ants persistently carrying crumbs of bread. As they climbed the wall, the crumb fell. Did the ants give up? No, they went down, then carried the crumb back together. And this could happen again and again on their way to the nest.

Our bodies are bigger than ants. Our lives are also far more advanced and relatively safer than an ant’s life; at the very least, we do not have to hunt for food with the risk of being stepped on by giant shoes. So why should we give up after failing only once or a few times to solve a problem?

Do not say, “I can’t,” if you have not tried; that shows laziness. Do not let an attitude of giving up easily make us only stay in place, never reaching the destination forever.

2. The Prophet’s Widow - Asking the Right Person for Help (2 Kings 4:1-7)

One of the wives of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying: "Your servant, my husband, has died, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. But now the creditor has come to take my two children as his slaves." – 2 Kings 4:1

People who have debt, especially a large amount, will not feel peace. This was experienced by a widow whose late husband had been Elisha’s servant. Because she could not find a way out by relying on her own strength, this woman asked Elisha for help.

After listening to her problem, Elisha gave a solution (2 Kings 4:3-5) and the widow carried it out. She borrowed empty jars from her neighbors, then filled them with oil from her own flask, which miraculously did not run out as it was poured. With the proceeds from selling the oil, she was able to pay all her debts and provide for her family.

Imagine if this widow had rejected the way out Elisha offered, on the grounds that it made no sense: the miracle would not have happened, and her children would have become slaves.

There is no need to be too proud to ask for help when it is truly needed. Come to people whose spiritual lives are healthy, to those who are experienced and knowledgeable. And if they give advice or a solution for your problem, learn to carry it out humbly.

3. Isaac - Praying for His Barren Wife (Genesis 25:20-21)

And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered his prayer, so that Rebekah his wife conceived. – Genesis 25:21

There are certain problems we are unable to overcome because of our limitations as human beings. But for God, nothing is impossible. He is able to help us from any problem.

The question is, are we willing to pray to Him and ask for a way out?

Indeed, it is not stated how long or how many times Isaac prayed. Was it as many as Hannah (1 Samuel 1-20), Sarah (Genesis 18:11), or Rachel (Genesis 29:31-35, 30:1-24), we do not know. What is certain is that this case is rather unique because it is presented from Isaac’s point of view: a husband praying for his wife. Isaac understood that it is God who has the power to close or open Rebekah’s womb.

When doubt and despair come, remember this: do not limit God’s power. He is able to solve every problem in ways that are sometimes unexpected. God always has a way out, and we, His children, can ask Him for it through prayer.

May this article help you see that perseverance is not only about tenacity and refusing to give up. Perseverance also means thinking carefully, namely asking the right people for help, and being humble in receiving input. Above all, perseverance is the willingness to keep believing that God’s power is greater than our problems. Amen! - Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We hold Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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