Faith is often shaped most deeply in the places where life feels difficult. In this feature from Living My Faith with James Fenimore, Lawrence Drenk, CEO of Legacy programs education and reentry, reflects on perseverance, purpose, and the steady encouragement found in Psalm 23.
Lawrence describes his work and life through a simple but powerful lens: purpose over profit. His faith journey has been shaped by struggle, and his message to anyone trying to grow spiritually is clear: Do not give up.
Faith That Holds Firm Through Struggle
Many people think of faith as something that grows only in peaceful seasons. But for Lawrence Drenk, struggle has played a significant role in deepening and shaping his faith journey.
Hard seasons can reveal what we truly depend on. They test our patience, our priorities, and our willingness to keep moving forward when answers are not immediate. For people seeking Christian encouragement, Lawrence’s story is a reminder that struggle does not have to be the end of faith. It can become the place where faith becomes more real, more personal, and more enduring.
Why Struggle Can Strengthen Faith
While no one welcomes difficulty, challenging seasons often invite reflection. They can lead people to ask deeper questions about purpose, identity, and trust. Faith in daily life is not only about what someone believes when things are easy. It is also about what they hold onto when life feels uncertain.
Lawrence’s emphasis on perseverance offers practical encouragement for anyone walking through a hard time. A difficult chapter does not define the whole story. Continuing to seek God, take the next right step, and stay anchored in truth can help a person move forward with hope.
Purpose Over Profit: A Faith-Driven Perspective
Legacy programs education and reentry is described by Lawrence with the phrase purpose over profit. That phrase carries weight. It points to a way of working and leading that values meaning, service, and impact.
In a world where success is often measured by numbers alone, a purpose-driven mindset asks different questions. It considers whether the work is aligned with values. It asks whether people are being served well. It invites leaders to think beyond short-term gain and focus on what matters most.
Living Purpose at Work
For Lawrence, living out faith is not limited to one area of life. When asked how he actively lives out his faith at work, at home, or in the community, his answer was simple: all.
That kind of answer reflects an integrated approach to faith. It suggests that belief is not meant to stay separate from daily responsibilities. Faith can shape how a person leads, communicates, makes decisions, treats others, and responds to setbacks.
For readers, this raises a helpful question: What would it look like to bring faith into every part of the day? Not in a forced or performative way, but through patience, integrity, compassion, humility, and consistency.
The Encouragement of Psalm 23
When asked what encouragement or scripture has been especially meaningful in this season, Lawrence pointed to Psalm 23.
Psalm 23 is one of the most recognized passages of Scripture because it speaks to both comfort and trust. It presents God as a shepherd who leads, provides, restores, and remains present even in dark valleys.
For anyone facing uncertainty, Psalm 23 offers a lasting reminder: faith is not built on the absence of difficulty, but on the presence of God within it.
What Psalm 23 Offers in Difficult Seasons
Psalm 23 is especially meaningful for people who feel weary, overwhelmed, or unsure of the next step. It reminds readers that they are not abandoned. It speaks of restoration when the soul feels depleted and guidance when the path is unclear.
Lawrence’s connection to this passage fits naturally with his message of perseverance. When life includes struggle, people need more than motivation. They need hope, grounding, and a reason to continue. Psalm 23 gives language to that hope.
Do Not Give Up: A Simple Message With Lasting Power
When asked what advice he would give to someone struggling to live out their faith or looking to grow spiritually, Lawrence answered: Do not give up.
It is a short statement, but it carries real strength. Spiritual growth is not always fast or easy. There may be seasons of doubt, fatigue, disappointment, or distraction. But continuing to seek God, return to truth, and take small steps of faith can make a lasting difference.
Practical Ways to Keep Going in Faith
For anyone who needs encouragement today, here are a few simple ways to keep moving forward:
- Return to Scripture. Start with passages like Psalm 23 and allow familiar truth to steady your heart.
- Take one faithful step. Growth often happens through small, consistent choices rather than dramatic changes.
- Be honest about the struggle. Faith does not require pretending everything is easy.
- Stay connected. Encouragement from trusted people can help you keep perspective.
- Remember your purpose. A purpose-driven life can help you stay focused when circumstances feel discouraging.
These steps are simple, but they can help build spiritual resilience over time.
Faith in Daily Life: Work, Home, and Community
One of the strongest themes in Lawrence’s reflection is the idea that faith belongs in every part of life. It is not limited to church settings or private moments. Faith can influence how someone works, serves, listens, leads, and responds to others.
Living faith in daily life may look different from person to person, but the foundation is the same: choosing to let belief shape action. That may mean leading with integrity, choosing compassion when it is inconvenient, practicing patience, or staying committed to purpose even when the path is difficult.
A Helpful Reflection for Readers
If you are considering how to live your faith more fully, ask yourself:
- Where do my values show up most clearly in my daily life?
- Where do I find it hardest to remain faithful or hopeful?
- How can I practice purpose over profit in my decisions?
- What Scripture is helping guide me in this season?
- Who can I encourage not to give up?
Questions like these can turn inspiration into action. They help move faith from an idea into a daily practice.
A Conversation Rooted in Hope and Perseverance
Lawrence Drenk’s story, shared through Living My Faith with James Fenimore, points to a message many people need: struggle can shape faith, purpose matters, and perseverance is worth it.
His connection to Psalm 23 brings the conversation back to a timeless truth. Even in difficult valleys, faith can remain steady. Even when the journey feels long, there is still reason to keep going.
Conclusion
Faith is not only proven in moments of certainty. It is also lived out through struggle, service, purpose, and perseverance. Lawrence Drenk’s message is a timely reminder that a life centered on faith can influence every area: work, home, community, and calling.
If you are in a season where faith feels difficult, remember the encouragement Lawrence shared: do not give up. Return to what is true. Take the next faithful step. Let purpose guide you forward.
To explore more conversations about faith and real-life perseverance, visit Living My Faith. To learn more about Legacy programs education and reentry, visit Legacyprogramseducationandreentry.com.
