It’s the middle of January and, if we’re honest, some of the promises you made to yourself have already started to slip.
The workouts are getting skipped.
The early mornings are getting negotiated away.
The “this is my year” energy is fading faster than expected.
My personal trainer says January is his least favorite month. Not because people don’t show up, but because too many do. The gym fills up with resolutionists. New Year, New Me plans everywhere. Equipment is scarce. Wait times are longer. And by the end of the month, most of those people are gone.
They didn’t fail because they lacked motivation.
They failed because they didn’t persist.
And persistence isn’t just about the gym.
Maybe you started the year with prayer and fasting, and now you’re wondering if it’s doing anything at all. Maybe you’re questioning whether you’re praying “right,” whether God is listening, or whether any of this is actually changing your situation.
Scripture gives us a powerful reminder that results are not always immediate but obedience still counts.
In the book of Daniel, we’re told that when Daniel prayed, the answer was released immediately.
“Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” – Daniel 10:12 (NIV)
The delay wasn’t because God ignored him.
The delay wasn’t because Daniel prayed incorrectly.
The delay happened in the unseen.
Daniel had no way of knowing that the answer to his prayer was already on its way — or that there was resistance he could not see. What he did know was that he needed to keep showing up.
And he did.
Persistence looks like continuing to pray when you don’t feel spiritual.
It looks like setting new systems when motivation disappears.
It looks like adjusting your approach without abandoning the goal.
Scripture is clear about this too:
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Earnestly seek.
Not occasionally.
Not only when it feels good.
Not only when results are visible.
Persistence is not loud. It’s quiet consistency.
It’s choosing to keep walking even when the path feels unchanged.
It’s trusting that obedience today is shaping outcomes you haven’t seen yet.
It’s understanding that discipline outlasts motivation every time.
So whether it’s your health, your faith, your mindset, or the systems you’re trying to build — don’t quit just because January isn’t behaving the way you expected.
Persist.
It will be worth it.
Live Fearless.
