If I could pick one word that would describe what you need for getting through the entire journey of Hepatitis C, treatment and recovery, it would be perseverance. Living beyond Hep C and certainly getting through treatment and recovery requires a lot more than what we possess in ourselves.

Our reliance on God to help us and provide what we could not do on our own is our lifeline. The results are astounding. The results may be surprising. Many times we find treasure while persevering through the dark valley. Treasure we never knew existed. Treasure and blessings that will impact our lives and last a lifetime.

My thoughts all throughout my Hep C journey and especially dealing with perseverance through treatment, kept coming back to the God’s Word, “With God all things are possible” Matthew 19:26

We have an unwelcomed travel companion throughout our Hep C journey, perhaps you’ve met, his name is Weariness. Weariness creeps up when our strength is depleted and whispers to our worn out souls to quit, to give up, to give in to hopelessness.

We have a choice, we can heed weariness and wilt, or choose to call on God for his provision of perseverance which will bring strength that comes from Him and spurs us on to greater heights to achieve what we could never do on our own.

Weariness looks down, and back. Its focus is inward, on how lousy we feel and the depletion of our own strength. Perseverance looks up, and beyond the moment, beyond the obstacles, beyond the temporary. Its focus is the goal and reliance on God’s provision to get us there. Which do you choose today?

From Laura Story’s devotional book, “What if your Blessings come through raindrops?” based on her award winning song, Blessings, she shares her own struggles with weariness and how choosing perseverance made the difference in her life.

She shares encouragement for Strength for the Marathon; The old saying is as true today as it was when it was first spoken: “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” Life, indeed, requires perseverance, so wise travelers select a traveling companion who never tires and never falters. That partner, of course, is God.

Are you tired? Ask God for strength. Are you discouraged? Believe in His promises. Are you defeated? Pray as if everything depended upon God, and work as if everything depended upon you.

Life is, at times, difficult. When you are tested, call upon God. He can give you strength to persevere, and that’s exactly what you should ask Him to do.

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians3:13-14

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried out to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalm 18:6 

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall. Psalm 18:28-29 

This entry was originally published on Life Beyond Hepatitis C, and is reprinted with permission.