I mean well but I have a bad habit. People occasionally come to me for spiritual guidance and counseling. I listen carefully and try to offer sound practical and Biblical advice but at one point I may say to someone; “Hang in there!”

 A couple going through marital problems: “Hang in there? What is that supposed to mean?”

 An alcoholic struggling with addiction: “Hang in there? Is he really listening to me?”

 A friend told that he has cancer: “Hang in there? Does he think I’m a bat or what?”

People, who are looking for hope during a time of crisis, instead receive a canned answer: ”Hang in there!” They could watch a talk show and get better advice. I have a tendency to say, “Hang in there,” when my brain is on automatic pilot. To someone else it could be interpreted: “I don’t care enough about you to give a more meaningful answer, so ‘hang in there!’”

Psalm 51 seems to apply for me: “Have mercy on me God.” I confess my shortcomings to you, Lord. Help me become a better listener. Help me to more thoughtfully and prayerfully answer the deep concerns of others. “Purify me from my sin.” Confession and a sincere desire to change is my lesson and I am working hard to change.

But Larry, what do you really mean when you say, “Hang in there?”

I thought you would never ask. The Bible calls it among other things: persistence.

 Romans 2:7 – He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good.

 Ephesians 6:10 & 18 – Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

 Matthew 24:13-14 – But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world.

The first part of the lesson: If you will persist in doing what is good — Be strong — Stay alert — Be persistent in your prayers — But those who endure — In other words, God completely understands your trouble, your disappointments and pain and says to you: “Be persistent!”

The second part of the lesson involves God’s reward for persistence. He will give eternal life — you will be able to stand firm — you will be saved — the Good News will be preached throughout the world — God’s reward for persistence amidst obstacles is eternal life and a heavenly reward.

Have you heard the story about an old mule that fell into a dry well? The farmer decided that neither the mule nor the dry well was worth saving. So, he decided to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the poor old mule was in a panic! But as the shovelfuls of dirt struck his back, the old mule began to: “shake it off and step up!” Each time the dirt hit the mule would shake it off and step up. It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly out of the well!

What seemed to bury the old donkey, actually blessed him, all because of his persistence amidst the dirt. He was able to “shake it off and step up!” Maybe this is what it really means to “hang in there.” If we endure despite our difficulties and refuse to allow panic, bitterness, or self-pity control us —

 A couple going through marital problems: “Hang in there really means to persist in the midst of struggles for better things to come.”

 An alcoholic struggling with addiction: “Hang in there really means to be strong in the Lord’s mighty power to help you break your addiction.”

 A friend told that he has cancer: “Hang in there really means those who endure are promised a kingdom beyond what we endure today.”

The obstacles that appear to bury us could actually become part of God’s richest blessings! It may be a bad habit, but it is sound theology when I sincerely say: “hang in there!”