If courage is grace under pressure, perseverance is its cousin. Perseverance is the virtue of trying again, and then trying again, and again, until we achieve our goal. 

Nothing great was ever accomplished without perseverance. Some people have marvelous natural gifts and are capable of wonderful things. But they lack staying power. When they meet something that doesn't come easily to them they lack the patience to master it. They are outdone by people who will carefully and painfully devote themselves to learning the skill they need.

People who persevere aren't always the ones who make the headlines. They don't necessarily shine and glitter. But they have worth, because they know what's of value in this world and they're prepared to work for it.

Perseverance is a Christian virtue. The apostle Paul writes about it: he was tempted to give up his missionary work because it was so hard, but he kept going. Without his perseverance, you would not be reading this.

And perseverance will be rewarded, whether it's in this world or the next. Followers of Christ who persevere in their discipleship are promised a reward in heaven. Sometimes being a Christian is really hard and each day feels like a martyrdom. But that's when we need to keep our eyes on the prize, just as real martyrs have always done, and persevere to the end. Here are 10 Bible verses about perseverance.

1. [Of love] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7).

2. I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12).

3. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Timothy 4:16).

4. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:36).

5. [Of Moses] By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27).

6. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (James 1:12).

7. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (James 5:11).

8. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary (Revelation 2:3).

9. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring (2 Thessalonians 1:4).

10. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).