“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

Sometime progress is slow in coming and just plain hard work

When my children were small, I was building a fence in my backyard. My son, Matthew, was watching me. I looked up from my work and said to him, “Inch by inch, it’s a synch, and by the yard, it’s hard!” And without missing a beat, he said, “And, by the mile, it’s a pile.”  We both laughed. The truth is most jobs eventually get done if you just stick with them and don’t quit.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

It produces character

 “And endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” (Rom. 5:4 ESV)

Therefore

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set