Pests of Persistence
“The majority of people are ready to throw their aims and purposes overboard and give up at the first signs of opposition or misfortune. A few carry on despite all opposition until they attain their goal. Weak desires produce weak results.” Napoleon Hill
Ants–they aren’t strong, but they store up food for the winter. (Prov. 30:25; NLT)
We’ve been battling ants! I’m sure many of you can relate. Thankfully they’re outside the house this time. Our driveway suffers from a couple of cracks, but fortunately for the ants, the cracks provide profitable employment. At first we noticed a “couple” of little hills in the cracks of the cement. A “couple” grew to several and several grew to many. Jerry has used ant dust to help deter these mighty pests.
It looked like we had won the battle. Alas, the tenacious little critters have returned with a vengeance. What was in that ant dust, anyway? As I stood there watching them this morning on our way to the gym, I noticed how industrious those little buggers are. They never quit! They just keep on doing whatever it is they’re doing…with the greatest of persistence. They don’t give up!
There were no other vehicles at the gym when we pulled in. A beautiful Monday morning…no rain, no snow, no hurricanes, yet no one else was there. Hundreds of people belong to this gym. When Jerry and I first joined this new facility almost three years ago, there was an occasional day when we would be the only two in the gym. However, that quickly changed and at times there wasn’t a treadmill to be had. Things got busy. But here we were on a Monday morning having the entire gym to ourselves.
As I worked out I thought of the persistence of the ants. They keep on, keepin’ on, no matter what’s going on around them…even in the midst of ant powder supposedly formulated to eliminate them.
Living a healthy lifestyle, making the right food choices, getting adequate exercise, all requires persistence. No, I don’t always “feel” like going to the gym and working out but deep down in my heart, I know the persistence of doing so pays off. Do I always “feel” like making a big green salad with lots of vegetables? No, but I know I’ll reap great dividends both now and in the future if I make that choice today. Driving thirty minutes one way across town to get the best prices on organic food isn’t something I look forward to doing but I know our bodies and minds will be happier and healthier for doing so.
Persistence does pay off. And who knows, someday I might actually build an ant hill.
Prayer Power
Father, thank You for the grace to be persistent in all that You’re calling us to walk in.
Link of the Day
The Power of Persistence: Doing Whatever It Takes
Photo by pml










“I thank the Lord for the good things we have. Maybe our bad news ain’t so bad.” Rod Stone