Today we are challenged to move beyond a “paper tiger” faith and develop an “eye of the tiger” faith, a faith that rises to the challenges, endures difficulties, and goes the distance. A paper tiger may look strong but collapses when life gets hard. Real faith is more than an emotional experience or a good confession. It acts, pursues, and remains committed when the feelings fade and the circumstances become difficult.

The Christian life is not a sprint; it is a marathon. Hebrews reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and demonstrated unwavering faith through sacrifice, hardship, and suffering. They did not quit when life became difficult. Their lives testify that perseverance is possible and that following God is worth the cost. We grow stronger in our faith when we surround ourselves with people whose passion for God encourages us to keep going.

If we are going to persevere, we must throw off everything that hinders us. That includes obvious sin, but it can also include unnecessary things that distract us, divide our attention, and keep us from pursuing God. Sometimes we need to let go of something that is wrong, and sometimes we simply need to let go of something that is taking priority over our relationship with Jesus. Faith requires discipline, obedience, sacrifice, and the commitment to keep running the race even when it feels like agony.

The key to perseverance is keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. We cannot build our faith by constantly looking to the church, the pastor, or other Christians because people will eventually disappoint us. Jesus alone is the source of the strength we need to endure. In a hurried world, we must intentionally slow down and make time to be alone with God. Just as Jesus regularly withdrew to pray and replenish His soul, we must guard time with God and make our relationship with Him a priority.

Finally, we persevere by keeping our eyes on the finish line. Jesus endured the cross by looking beyond the agony and shame to the joy that awaited Him. Paul pressed on toward the heavenly prize, and we can do the same. Life will bring difficult seasons, confusion, disappointment, and suffering, but this life is not all there is. If we will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, trust God, and refuse to quit, everything we face will eventually pale in comparison to finishing the race and hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Scriptures— Romans 15:4 (NIV); Hebrews 10:32 (NLT); Hebrews 12:1 (NIV); 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NRSVUE); He 12:2 (GNT); Philippians 3:14 (NRSVUE)

Verses— Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (He 12:1) Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God’s throne. (He 12:2)

Questions— What is the difference between a “paper tiger” faith and an “eye of the tiger” faith? Where do you see the greatest need for your faith to become stronger and more active? What is something you may need to let go of because it is distracting you or hindering your relationship with God? What practical steps can you take to slow down, spend more time with God, and keep your focus on Jesus in the midst of a hurried life? How does remembering the finish line—heaven, motivate you to persevere?

Prayer— Lord, help me develop an “eye of the tiger” faith that stays strong when life gets difficult. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and help me remember the prize awaiting me at the finish line. Give me strength to persevere and help me finish the race faithfully. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.