A Great Woman is a Persevering Woman

Matthew 20:22 ²² Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”

The cup Jesus refers to what He was about to endure. He knew He would soon go to the cross to bear the sins of the world. Not only that, but 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” That weight was excruciating. 

James and John’s mother asked Jesus if her sons could sit, one at his right and one at his left, in His kingdom. Jesus replied, in essence, You have no idea what you are asking. What I am about to endure is not for you. But, you will endure your own suffering.

Later, we learn that James was beheaded by King Herod for his faith. John did not die a martyr’s death—in fact, he was the only one of the 12 disciples who didn’t. Still, he endured many trials and suffered greatly for the gospel. He was thrown into a boiling basin of oil and miraculously escaped unharmed. He was later imprisoned and believed to have lived nearly 100 years before dying an old man. That is a long life of persevering through trials and suffering.

Have you ever asked God for the impossible? Perhaps during an unexpected illness, marital struggles, financial hardships, the loss of a loved one or a prodigal son. In those moments, the question you cry out is, “Lord, am I going to make it through this?” Crying out to God for what seems impossible may be all you can do—when you are exhausted, beaten down and out of options. 

James and John’s mother didn’t get the answer she hoped for from Jesus. All she wanted was some assurance that her boys would be okay after Jesus was gone. It was the desperate plea of a fearful mother. No parent wants to watch their children suffer. 

Have you ever cried out to Jesus in such desperation that what you were asking seemed impossible—but you didn’t care, because this was all you had left? I mean, if the tomb is empty, anything is possible, right? Nothing is too big for our Savior. 

But what if your cup to bear requires a little suffering? Would you still carry it? Romans 5:3–4 says, ^” Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”

One of the most asked questions about God is, “Why does God allow suffering?” A better question may be, “Why do we suffer?” I know suffering is hard, and if we had a choice, we would pick a life without pain, trails or suffering. But God never promised our walk with Him would be easy. In fact, at the Last Supper Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We know the end of the story, ladies—God wins! Though evil all surrounds us and sin produces trials and suffering, we must keep our eyes on the prize. Jesus came to free us from the bondage of sin. He took the cup and suffered the death He did not deserve, so that whatever we face here is only temporary. Evil will one day be crushed forever. 

What is a persevering woman? 

1. A persevering woman fears the Lord. 

Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”  

• A persevering woman let’s go of comfort. 

When I feel uncomfortable or I don’t want to do something that’s out of my comfort zone, I remember when (Pastor) Joby told his coach, Bull Lee, that he wasn’t comfortable preaching, Coach replied: “Boy, do you think Daniel was comfortable in the lions’ den? Do you think Paul was comfortable in prison? Do you think Jesus was comfortable on the cross?” It’s not about our comfort—it’s about our obedience. 

• A persevering woman overcomes.

Many times, I will say to myself, “If I can just survive this, it’ll be okay.” No, it’s not about surviving—it is about overcoming. You may not survive cancer or some other illness that strikes. Your marriage may not survive. Your friendships may not survive. Your current financial status may not survive. But there is a difference between surviving and overcoming.

The definition of survive is to continue to live or exist. The definition of overcome is to succeed; to overpower or to overwhelm—to prevail. This means you don’t just try to make it through; you come out victorious. You come out of it more powerful than your opponent. 

Even through death, you have overcome the sin and darkness of this world. Although it may take your flesh, you have overcome your flesh and this world because of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

• A persevering woman loves the unlovable.

Proverbs 31:8–9 (NIV) says, 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.

This is what it means to love like Christ. To love when it’s hard. To love when it is uncomfortable. To love when no one else will. 

• Where do you feel like you are succeeding as a persevering woman?
• In what areas do you need to grow in perseverance?

God, I pray for each woman facing trials and suffering right now. Lord, give them strength that comes only from You so that they may persevere. Give them courage to stand firm in faith through every trial and adversity. Holy Spirit, use us for Your glory and help us overcome the things of this world that weigh us down. Show us Your way and give us wisdom and discernment to take the steps You have for us. In Your holy and precious name, Amen.