[Guest Post by Paula Friedrichsen] It takes perseverance to enter a season of sustained breakthrough, and it takes “continued perseverance” to go one step further and press into your destiny. Perseverance means “steady persistence in a course of action, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.”

The way to adequately maintain the perseverance needed to press into all God has for you is by “partnering with the prophetic.” Partnering with the prophetic involves hearing the Word of the Lord for your life—and then walking in faith, patience, preparation, and perseverance until that word is fulfilled. There’s an interesting example of this scenario found in the book of Esther.

Wicked Haman had devised a murderous plan to annihilate the entire Jewish nation. Through the courageous actions of Esther and her uncle Mordecai, the plot was foiled. However, what I find interesting is the fact that King Xerxes’ edict, “granting the Jews the right to assemble and protect themselves” was issued on “the twenty-third day of the third month”… yet the appointed day for this conflict wasn’t until, “the thirteenth day of the twelfth month” (over seven months later!).

If you think about it, in reality the entire situation changed the moment the king wrote that edict. But the Jews didn’t actually see the effect of that edict until many months later. The Jews had to “partner” with the King’s word. First of all, they had to believe the word. Then they had to exercise patience for that word to come to pass. Next they had to prepare for the conflict even though it was many months away. And eventually they had to persevere against their enemies in the day of battle. In the end, they had to partner with the king’s word to see it become their destiny.

And we must do the same. We are called to partner with the prophetic words the Holy Spirit gives us. We begin that partnership by pressing into our breakthrough and refusing to give up no matter what comes against us. Destiny is interwoven with breakthrough, and breakthrough will often precipitate destiny.

Here’s what the sequence looks like when it comes to partnering with the prophetic:

• God speaks to you.
• God confirms His Word.
• It takes root in your heart and becomes an unshakeable thing which is dear to you.
• You begin to speak about it, pray about it, and plan for it.
• It is repeatedly substantiated in different ways.
• The enemy comes for it (which in-and-of itself is further substantiation of its validity).
• You fight for it with faith, patience, preparation, and perseverance.
• In the fighting for it, your dream and destiny are refined and defined—and the roots grow deep into your heart and mind.
• With deep roots, your dream and destiny are free to begin to flourish and thrive.
• You step into it! You won’t be denied. You won’t be swayed. Fear of man and fear of failure cannot stop you. It is yours!

I’m not sure where you are along that journey—but be encouraged that God rewards tenacity. He’s seen you stand your ground when you have felt like giving up. He’s seen you stay obedient to His directives, even when they didn’t make sense to you. He’s seen you continue to press into your destiny and calling, even when others put you down or doubted your ability to rise to the top.

He’s seen you persevere through unfathomable difficulties and hardship with a smile on your face and worship on your lips. Be encouraged that God sees and God knows—and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Your new day is coming like the dawn! It’s going to be bright and beautiful, and it’s going to be worth each and every sacrifice you made along the way!

Paula Friedrichsen is an ordained minister who lives with her family in California. This article is an excerpt of her latest book, “A Season of Breakthrough: Four Strategies to Living a Life of Sustained Freedom”. To find out more about Paula’s ministry visit www.PFMinistries.com