With Covid this year, I find my motivation dwindling each day. There’s always something to do and no time to do it. Every day is a chore, and I go to bed every night only to wake up and dread the next one. 

       Lately, this has become a problem not only in my school life, but in after school activities like basketball or even keeping my room clean. I find myself making tons of excuses. I live for the weekend, just to dread the upcoming Monday once more. 

     A few days ago, I understood then and there that I was the only one who could change the route on which my lack of motivation had led me. It was hard to admit to myself that I had gone astray and was starting to slack off, but that was the first step in the right direction. I realized I needed to ask God to help me find the perseverance and determination to finish every day with no regrets. I wanted to be free of this toxic, never ending mindset. 

      In Romans 5:3-5 it says, “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” 

      It took time for me to notice I had fallen by the wayside but this verse grants me assurance that the trials  I have now will be rewarded by improvement of character and God pouring his love into my heart. In Him I am able to finish the race. I am able to continue to endure whatever life has to offer. In fact, I know that even in my suffering, I can be glad and thank God for the chance to work on myself and to challenge myself to do the right thing. Jesus promises, “those who persevere are greatly rewarded.”