Persevere?

Still in James, and he writes, "Blessed is the man who persevers under trial...." What exactly does it mean to "persevere"? Is it merely surviving until we come out on the other side? Or is it something more?

Dictionary.com defines it this way- "to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly."

Can you tell the difference between someone who perseveres a trial and someone who just survives it? Blessed is the man that maintains purpose through trial. The purpose that God has called him to. No matter what the obstacle, he presses on.

I don't want to merely survive trial, just happy that it's done. Lord, help me to be the man that perseveres. A man that moves through all obstacles with purpose.