What The Catholic Faith Teaches About Perseverance

Have you ever wondered why we always associate perseverance with faith?

Perseverance is a quality that helps in the persistent pursuit of doing something despite the setbacks that may occur. Believe it or not, it transcends the boundaries of culture and belief. In the realm of catholic faith, perseverance holds great significance. It represents our commitment to the spiritual journey despite any challenges that may come our way.

Let us find out, in this blog, the perspective of the catholic faith on perseverance that will guide and inspire us on the path to spirituality.

The Call to Perseverance

At the heart of Catholicism lies the notion of enduring commitment. When we read the Bible, we find it full of stories of individuals who went through the hardest of challenges and emerged stronger than ever. How? Through their unwavering faith in God.

We can take the examples of Job and Noah, whose stories teach us the importance of persevering through adversity. Catholicism teaches us that each trial is a test of endurance and an opportunity for spiritual growth.

In his book, A Memoir of Perseverance and the Catholic Faith, Author Timothy Neff Gocke recalls moments when he decided to leave as an altar boy, and his father would tease him about it by saying he was defrocked. Other occasions included his father’s use of the Grump Box. His older brother would tease Timothy excessively to the point of daily harassment The excessive teasing felt like a nick at his self-esteem and confidence. Why? Because jokes at another person's expense hurt. Was this the call to perseverance for the author?

However, unlike most of us, Timothy carried on through the toughest challenges and the most difficult times of his life. How did he do that? Maybe it was a personality trait that helped him. It was, however, in his personality to not change direction (which helps in dealing with adversity).

 "My perseverance in attaining something important was always driven by the stubbornness of never quitting, especially if the challenge seemed almost unattainable to reach."

• Author Timothy Neff Gocke

Aren't these qualities enough to persist through the countless adversities we face in life?

Prayer and Sacraments

Spiritual practices such as prayers and sacraments are intertwined with perseverance in Catholicism. When you pray to God, He provides you with the strength and guidance you need. The sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, will enable you to persevere with grace and forgiveness.

The concept of redemptive suffering that centers on Catholic theology draws inspiration from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Christ's suffering can be united with our suffering and bring spiritual purification to our lives.

In A Memoir of Perseverance and the Catholic Faith, Timothy shows how praying to achieve a goal in life is an honorable trait. But, it has to be backed by perseverance and hard work. He recalls how, after achieving success in his basketball journey, he felt like a successful survivor. He says that help from God and persistence are the keys to a successful life.

If you are interested in learning more about what the catholic faith teaches about perseverance, read A Memoir of Perseverance and the Catholic Faith,  which will help you positively move forward in life.