While studying the book of Matthew at church, the subject of perseverance keeps coming up. It’s a pretty powerful attribute to use, especially when combined with patience. With that combination, there is NOTHING that cannot be overcome.
As you know, I love true stories, especially those of overcomers. When I first heard Nick Vujicic’s story, I thought, “there’s no way anyone could overcome the obstacles he was born with!” Well, this is a real-life story of enduring the most difficult of challenges. He was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare condition that left him without arms and legs. Nick endured many obstacles growing up, including bullying and discrimination. At one point he wanted to end it all, but then had a personal encounter with Jesus which gave him hope and the strength to persistently persevere.
Nick is now a motivational speaker and author. I can honestly say he is the most infectiously joyous person I’ve ever met. Despite his difficult start in life, he has inspired millions of people around the world with his message of hope, resilience, and faith. He has refused to allow his impairment to define him and began speaking publicly about his experiences and how he overcame his hurdles at the ripe old age of 19.
Through his own non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs, Nick began to assist people with disabilities and convey his message of hope and resilience. Since then, he has become a well-known motivational speaker, touring the world to speak to people of all ages and backgrounds. He inspires millions of people through his talks, writings, and media appearances to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams, no matter how unattainable they may appear. He teaches that true happiness comes from within and that anything is attainable with faith, determination, and hard work.
Nick’s story is not an isolated one. There are multitudes of others, like Eva Kor, for instance. Eva, a Holocaust survivor, became a proponent of forgiveness and healing. She and her family were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland when she was 10 years old. She survived the gas chambers despite witnessing unspeakable horrors and losing much of her family. She was later freed by the Soviet troops. She fled to Israel and later to the United States after the war, where she became an advocate for Holocaust education and healing. She established the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1995, teaching the public about the Holocaust and encouraging forgiveness and healing.
Kor’s decision to forgive her captors and tormentors, especially Dr. Josef Mengele, the infamous Nazi scientist who conducted cruel experiments on captives at Auschwitz, was one of the most astonishing and powerful aspects of her life story. Kor indicated that forgiving was a means for her to reclaim her power and move past the agony of her past. Her message of forgiveness and reconciliation has inspired individuals all around the world and has aided in the promotion of healing and understanding among many groups of people. Kor is a striking reminder of the human spirit’s fortitude and tenacity in the face of unimaginable hardship, as well as the transformational power of forgiveness.
These stories are a compelling reminder that no matter what obstacles we face, we can achieve our goals and live a full and meaningful life. These messages of optimism and perseverance have encouraged people worldwide to believe in themselves and to never ever give up on their aspirations.
I so often fall victim to sitting on my “pity pot,” feeling sorry for myself. But when I read stories like these, through their perseverance – day in and day out – I have hope and strength that I too will persevere. That’s the power of perseverance.
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com.
Tagged: forgiveness, hope, perseverance, world war II
