A Picture of Perseverance

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” - James 1:12 
 
 
Not long ago, I read this article about a man named Henry Dempsey who survived a seemingly improbable experience while flying his commuter plane from Maine to Boston in the summer of 1987. While in the air, the pilot heard an unusual noise near the rear of the aircraft. 
 
So, Dempsey turned the controls over to his copilot and went to the back of the plane to see what was going on. As he reached the tail section, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the rear door, where he quickly discovered the source of the mysterious noise. 
 
The rear door had not been properly latched prior to takeoff and when Dempsey was thrown against it, it instantly flew open sucking Dempsey out of the plane. The co-pilot, seeing the red light on the control panel that indicated an open door, radioed the nearest airport requesting permission to make an emergency landing. 
 
He reported that Dempsey had fallen out of the plane and requested that search crews be dispatched to look for him in the ocean. Much to their surprise, however, when the plane landed, the ground crew found Henry Dempsey holding on to the ladder on the outer door of the plane. 
 
Somehow, he had caught the ladder and managed to hold on for 10 minutes as the plane flew 200mph at an altitude of 4,000 feet until the plane landed safely on the ground. What is more shocking is that as the plane made its approach and landed, Dempsey was able to keep his head from hitting the runway, which was a mere 12 inches away.  
 
With nothing more than a few bumps and bruises, it took several airport personnel more than a few minutes to pry Dempsey’s fingers from the ladder. That image, if you can conceptualize it in your mind, is a picture of perseverance.  
 
The ability to hang on when it would have been easier to just let go. Perseverance is the key that keeps us from giving up when life tempts us to let go. James 1:12 says, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”  
 
Are you tempted to “let go” and give up on the situation you currently find yourself in? if Henry Dempsey teaches us anything, it’s not to let go. With God, there is always a chance for a miracle!