Why We Must Endure

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power – Ephesians 6:10

When we face tough situations in our lives there is often the instinct to run. Giving up when a breakthrough is just around the corner is common place. I have known people who gave up on their calling simply because they refused to endure. And anytime we don’t press through difficulties and come out victorious on the other end, our spiritual confidence is terribly lowered. Oftentimes we know what God will have us do but we openly disregard that still small voice we hear and go off to do the exact opposite. Painfully we can never do wrong to make things right anymore than we can get to the right destination going the wrong way.

Quitting although very easy is a very expensive option. A person’s refusal to endure says a lot of things about their character. One of the things that are painfully clear when the option to quit is chosen is that spiritual strength is lacking. The ability to endure requires a very strong spirit so quitters often break very easily when adversity shows up or they find themselves in a situation they just don’t like. I also think that when we choose to quit, we are ignoring the Mighty Power of God. We are in essence saying that God does not have what it takes to get us through our situation nor can he change our lot in life. Unfortunately, this disbelief that allows us to quit during tough times also brings our level of faith into question. Endurance is where the wheat gets separated from the chaff – where we can very clearly distinguish the boys from the men.

It is very rare to see a phenomenal and committed believer quit on anything – especially when they know they are clearly walking in tune with God’s will for their lives. That is why it is very vital that we seek God for his will for our lives. When you are absolutely positive that you are on the right road, no bump or pothole can make you change course. You just keep on riding – through every speed bump and through every pothole. The casually committed and lip-service oriented Christian will often be the first to pack his bags and run. They often know the entire lingo and the scriptures but as we all know, it is quicker to talk and dress up like a Christian than it is to live like one. For a lip-service Bible totting believer, they will have every excuse under the sun why they were right to quit and if you are not careful, they will try to convince you to quit too!

So how do we develop the ability to endure? Endurance will come with relationship with God. When people comment that I am strong taking care of two children on my own, I just laugh. I laugh because I know that I am not strong. It is the strength of God being displayed through me. I am not special neither was I created to suffer. But in the same token God has called me to a life that just requires that I never give up on my children. If he has chosen to bless me with my daughters, the least he expects is that I do the task of caring for them diligently. When we listen to God’s word on a daily basis, we draw strength from it. His word and my circumstances let me know that I can’t make it without God’s help. My total dependence on him is what makes me endure. I have no idea how long I will be on my own for but I know one thing for sure – God will never give me more than I can handle. I also know that God always rewards those who endure and trust in His Holy Name.