Many times, I have been thrown out of my comfort zone to join those who are currently in the throws of what appear to be very uncomfortable circumstances that tax our ENDURANCE.
What has it taken me to bear and ENDURE in my journey? I am still in training for that Grand Olympics.
Training for this grand event is an accumulation of life events that build stamina and ENDURANCE. These smaller events, trial runs, practice, can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Yet they are an expected part of training if we are to reach that final goal.
ENDURANCE is what we have to go through life if we are going to get through it.
The assumption is that life is hard and there is the eminent danger of growing weary and falling away. Hebrews 3:14 "We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." Matt.24:13 "But he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Hebrews 12:1-4 " Let us fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith."
There is a saying that is true "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Keeping it all together and buckling down for the long haul, holding on tight as the dramas of life toss us from one event to another. The Greek word for ENDURANCE, "hupomeno" is an abiding under or bearing up courageously with patience.
What exactly is ENDURANCE then? It is correlated with physical activity, to run, to ENDURE hardship Heb.12. It's the defense of this Grand Olympic life's events.
It is standing firm without giving in while all odds are coming at you.
It is using strength to continue despite pain and fatigue. It is the ability to maintain our pace throughout life so we have ENDURANCE to finish. We have been sent to start a race by God and he expects us to finish that race.
How does he expect us to run this race? How does he expect us to pace ourselves? What kind of training and preparations are needed?
We run this race with the strength that God supplies, Eph.6:10. So lets be reminded to put out great effort to ENDURE to the end.
"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." Rom.916 Our ability to ENDURE is a gift from God. Our ability to serve is by the strength he provides, I Pet.4:11.
It can be very emotionally and physically exhausting caring for ourselves and a loved one. The need to refuel daily is a necessity. Daily prayer keeps our hearts and minds open and toned. Daily reading of God's Word helps us to remember God's goal for us.
Life, being, the ultimate challenge is an arduous journey and we need all the spiritual strength we can get.
We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher, if we are to run with ENDURANCE. He knows the way. He sets the pace.
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." I Cor.15:58
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal.6:9
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