Maturity is knowing how to persevere in every area.
You persevere in resisting temptation. Some people think they have resisted in an area for a long time. But if they give in then they'll have to start all over again. They don't understand that part of growing and being mature is continuing to persevere.
You persevere in faith. Is there something you have been praying for that you know is the will of God, but you haven't seen it happen yet? Persevere in faith. You know your God. You know His Word. He says He wants to do this, so you persevere.
You persevere in prayer. When other people are playing, you are praying. Persevere in your quiet times. Persevere in memorizing Scripture. Persevere in longing after the deep things of God.
Other people backslide. Other people fool around. Other people have bad attitudes and are not really wanting to grow, but you are persevering.
You have to persevere. There is so much more of God that you have never tasted, that you have never discovered. How can you let go when you've just had one taste?
Are there things you need to persevere in? Are there areas where you've considered giving up?
I want you to take James 4:1 and chew on it. Meditate on it and be that kind of person as you walk into your day today.
Say, "I'm going to be marked with maturity and I am going to persevere today. I am going to decide to be one of those Christians who perseveres when everybody else falls." It may be hard.
You keep pushing because you are going somewhere. You are going on to be like Jesus. You want to be a strong man or woman of God. You can't stop...you must persevere!
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania