A quote I love says, “And on the 10,000th try, there was light.” Thomas Edison didn’t discover electricity during his first attempt, but he didn’t quit. He persevered, and 9,998 failures later, he did it! Although it may not have been popular then, Thomas Edison would be the ideal spokesperson for the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.”
And, in the 12th year, there was healing. Although the woman with the issue of blood initially sought healing from the wrong sources, her perseverance must be commended. She had heard the same answer for twelve years – “There isn’t a cure for your disease.” – yet she kept searching. She spent all of her money, but she kept going. 12 years later, she found Jesus and got more than she bargained for!
I’m convinced: God is partial to those who persevere. Jesus said, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NLT). And that’s my advice for you. Persevere! Keep going! Don’t let failure thwart your progress, for you never know which attempt might end successfully.