Trials are Gifts

Yes, you read it right.  Our trials are gifts.  I recently watched this video about a kid named Clayton McDonald.  Maybe you've heard of him or maybe you haven't.  He was an incredible boy who saw his trials as gifts and opportunities to share the gospel.  It shows incredible selflessness and putting God's glory and the salvation of others before your own pain.  Hopefully this video will impact you the same way it did me and show you that God works all things out for good and that His plans are ALWAYS perfect.

Perseverance

 Yes, I know, finishing things is hard.  Especially when you get distracted with things that seem more fun or better than what you are stuck on.  During November, as I've said many times, I participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  Needless to say, writing a novel in a month isn't as easy as it sounds.  Perseverance is a big part of it.  Usually half way through NaNo I've decided that my novel is junk and not really worth finishing.
But what I have to remember is that there are always things that seem bigger and better out there.  There will always be something in my mind telling me that what I'm writing is no good.  Everyone, even the greatest authors, have struggled with doubt that their project isn't worth finishing.  Perseverance applies to almost all things in life.
You don't give up singing just  because you hit a few bad notes.
You don't quit your job just because it's hard.
You don't stop playing a sport because it gets more difficult.
Working hard and giving your best are always better than giving up.  More importantly, God doesn't want us to quit.
The bible says that we are to strive to be like Christ.  And if Christ didn't give up on us even though we continued to sin and disobey Him, we shouldn't give up on people or other things.  As my dad reminded me the other day, "It's just a season, it will eventually pass."  So keep running in the race!  Taking breaks only makes you fall further behind!  Persevere!