For writers, strong word choice is one of the best ways to elevate any piece of writing. The thesaurus is a writer’s best friend, filled with synonyms and antonyms to find the most appropriate word. Often, I look for synonyms to grasp a deeper meaning of a word.
The word pursuit is intense, but one of its synonyms caught my eye.
Chasing.
Pursuing a goal involves chasing. We're laser-focused when we chase after something, hoping not to let it out of sight. We maintain the perfect speed and ensure that too much distance doesn't get between us and our dreams.
Along the way, many of us will discover we're no longer chasing our goals because of weariness. We may find ourselves overpowered by discouragement, doubt, and fear when this happens. Instead of pursuing our goals, we do the opposite of "the chase."
We stop.
The lack of immediate results or ground covered often discourages us and causes a complete stop.
We should be faithful in pursuing our goals, not only to obtain them—but also to learn lessons along the way.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).
God-given goals require faith to believe they'll happen. Since God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, so are his plans for our lives (Isaiah 55:9). Sometimes, following the plan takes us through valleys, obstacles, and rough terrain. During these challenges, getting distracted, discouraged, and disillusioned is easy. But God advises us to change our perspective on this situation and to "Consider it pure joy" (James 1:2).
Not only should we pursue our goals, but we should also keep the faith along the way to keep us driven and focused. As the Bible tells us, our obstacles and trials while pursuing our goals build perseverance. It's perseverance which enables us to develop maturity and completeness.
Don’t be afraid of the chase.
Prayer: God, thank you for the plans you have for my life. At times, I need help understanding how I will reach my goals, and I become discouraged along the way. Please give me the perseverance to keep chasing even when the path isn’t straightforward. Amen.
Your turn: What goals are you pursuing in this season of life? Have you ever ex experienced obstacles and trials when chasing your dreams? Have you ever stopped? Why or why not? We'd love to hear from you.
Excellent post, Katharine! No one cruises through life without hitting a few speed bumps. Part of being an adult is navigating those challenges by looking at the problem with fresh eyes. I think it's a mindset. Shutting down and giving up are not an option if we learn to appreciate the journey.