Keep Going When Life Gets Hard: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

Life has a way of bringing moments that test our strength and our faith. At times we may feel like giving up, especially when the path forward seems difficult or uncertain.

Yet sometimes the greatest lessons in perseverance come from the most unexpected teachers — children.

Their determination, resilience, and simple faith can remind us what it looks like to keep going, even when things feel hard.

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https://ozsazzles.podbean.com/e/how-to-keep-going-when-life-gets-hard-fixing-our-eyes-on-jesus/

The Faith of a Child

People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Mark 10:13–16 (NIV)

Children have so much to teach us.

They are open, honest, hopeful, and determined. When they fall, they may cry for a moment, but they quickly get back up and try again.

They do not give up easily.

A Lesson in Perseverance

Many years ago, while we were on holiday, my six-year-old son and his cousin were happily swimming in the pool.

My four-year-old daughter could not swim yet.

Of course, the boys teased her a little. They swam to the deep end and called out in sing-song voices, “You can’t come here because you can’t swi-im!”

Her response came quickly and fiercely.

“I can too swim! And I will swim over there!”

She even poked her tongue out for emphasis.

Over the next few days she kept trying. Her arms flailed, her body sank, and she swallowed plenty of water. Her Pa and I had to rescue her several times.

After coughing and spluttering, she would look up at me, wrinkle her nose, and say with a big smile:

“I’m swimming good, aren’t I mummy?”

And I would encourage her, telling her how much she was improving.

Within a couple of days she was swimming, and eventually she became an even stronger swimmer than her older brother.

She persevered with joy, even while she was struggling.

Perseverance in Our Faith

My daughter’s determination reminds me of something important about our spiritual journey.

Perseverance means continuing forward despite discouragement, difficulty, or previous failure.

The Bible reminds us:

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12 (AMP)

Whether we are facing hardship or celebrating blessings, we can continue to trust that God is good and that He is with us in every season.

Running the Race with Endurance

In the past, I wandered away from God for a time. It is something I never want to risk again.

Now I want to persevere like my daughter did, even when life feels like I am struggling to stay afloat.

Scripture encourages us:

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV)

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, saints, angels, and even the people around us who watch how we live.

The way we respond to both good times and difficult seasons speaks volumes about the God we serve.

Our lives can either point people toward Him or push them away.

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

So how do we persevere when life becomes difficult?

We remember that the things of this world are temporary.

We focus our hearts on Jesus and the promises of God.

We spend time reading His Word.
We pray and meditate on Scripture.
We worship and thank Him for His faithfulness.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven… Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Colossians 3:1–2 (NLT)

When we praise God, even quietly at first, something begins to change inside us.

Our faith grows stronger. Our perspective shifts. Darkness begins to lift because God inhabits the praises of His people.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
John 1:5

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for walking with us through every season of life. When we feel tired or discouraged, help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Give us perseverance when challenges arise and remind us that You are always with us.

Strengthen our faith so that we may continue running the race You have set before us.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Activation

Take a moment today to reflect on an area of your life where you feel discouraged or tempted to give up.

Bring it before God in prayer.

Then choose one simple way to draw closer to Him today, perhaps reading a passage of Scripture, worshipping with a song, or thanking Him for His faithfulness.

Small steps of faith can renew our strength.

If this message encouraged you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need it today.

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God bless you and your family.

Right now is always the best time to begin.

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