“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36)

Have you ever started a project with incredible enthusiasm, only to hit a wall halfway through? Maybe it was a fitness goal, a career pivot, or even a relationship. The beginning is full of energy and vision. We can see the finish line clearly. But then, the middle happens. The excitement fades, obstacles pile up, and suddenly, quitting looks a lot more attractive than continuing.

The spiritual life follows a similar pattern. There is often an initial burst of joy when we discover God’s will for our lives. We feel a sense of purpose, a "mission" that feels tailor-made for us. As Paul reminds us, we discover this good and perfect will by renewing our minds and offering ourselves to God (Romans 12:1-2).

But what happens when the road gets rocky? What happens when doing the right thing brings resistance instead of relief?

The writer of Hebrews speaks directly to this moment of tension with a powerful command: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36).

The Unexpected Resistance

It’s easy to assume that if we are doing God's will, the path should be smooth. If God is for us, shouldn't the doors just fly open? Yet, scripture paints a more realistic picture. Jesus himself explained in the Parable of the Sower that trouble or persecution often comes because of the Word (Mark 4:17). The resistance isn't necessarily a sign you've taken a wrong turn; it might be proof you're on the right track.

The original audience of Hebrews knew this well. They had faced public insults, ridicule, and suffering. They were tempted to drift away, to lower the volume on their faith to avoid the noise of the world. The writer urges them: don’t do it. Don’t throw away the confidence you held so dear at the start.

Why? Because there is a "rich reward" waiting on the other side of the struggle.

Grace in the Thorn

The Apostle Paul is perhaps the greatest example of this grit. You might think a man so used by God would live a charmed life, but his reality was gritty and hard. He faced constant opposition to the gospel message he carried. He even described a "thorn in the flesh"—a messenger of Satan sent to torment him (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Paul pleaded with God three times to take it away. He wanted the obstacle removed. Instead, God gave him something better than relief; He gave him resilience. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Paul didn't throw away his confidence because life got hard. He anchored his confidence in the promise that God’s grace was enough to sustain him. His reward wasn't just comfort in the moment; it was the millions of lives—including ours—that would be changed by his perseverance centuries later.

Eyes on the Finish Line

We all have a race to run. We all have a unique lane and a specific calling. There will be days when the "thorn" feels too sharp or the hill feels too steep. In those moments, the temptation to throw in the towel is real.

But this is where our confidence must shift from our own ability to His faithfulness. We need to persevere, not just for the sake of grit, but because we trust the One who made the promise. As Hebrews 12 encourages us, let us throw off everything that hinders us and run with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Don't let the difficulty of the middle steal the joy of your beginning or the glory of your ending. Your confidence in Christ is a precious possession. Hold onto it tightly. The finish line is closer than you think, and the reward—eternity with Him—is worth every step.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. When you hit a wall, how does God's promise of reward shape your response?

2. Is resistance a sign you're off track, or could it mean you're right where you should be?

3. Where do you need to trust God's grace to persevere, instead of just hoping your struggles disappear?