The story is told of a young, aspiring musician visiting New York City who wanted to see Carnegie Hall. She stopped a stranger on the street and asked, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” The stranger, also a musician, replied, “Practice, practice, practice!” 

While that wasn’t the answer the young musician was looking for, it was probably the answer she needed. Enduring thousands of hours of painful practice is the only path. The apostle Paul said something similar about suffering: “We also glory [rejoice] in tribulations.” Why? Because just as the toil of practice leads to Carnegie Hall, so the “toil” of hard times leads to perseverance, which leads to character, which leads to hope. And hope “does not disappoint” because it leads to the realization of God’s love for us (Romans 5:5). As the writer of Hebrews wrote, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). We keep our eyes on the One who endured as our example. 

Remain strong in your troubles, knowing that they have a purpose: perseverance, character, and hope.

Perseverance is the rope that ties the soul to the door post of heaven.
Frances J. Roberts