Encouragement in Endurance

The dictionary defines endurance as “the ability to withstand hardship or adversity, especially the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.” God’s Word tells us that we need to endure, practice endurance, grow in endurance, etc. (Hebrews 10:36, Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4, e.g.) Since most of us focus on the hardship, adversity, and prolonged stressful effort or activity of endurance, we tend to grit our teeth, at least inside, when we read passages like those mentioned. Instead, we need to change our mindsets and focus on the first part of the definition – the ability to withstand and the ability to sustain.

To make this more practical, let’s consider what a time of endurance in our prayer lives might be. While I am sure there are many others, here are a few scenarios that might relate to you. A. It seems like my prayers are not being answered. B. In my personal times of prayer, I no longer sense the Lord’s nearness or the sweetness of His Presence. C. I haven’t stopped praying because of these things, but I sure don’t have much enthusiasm for it. In fact, it feels pretty much like I’m just going through the motions when I pray. If you can relate to any of these, you know that the tougher words of the definition of endurance apply. You may even think that you missed out on the “ability to withstand or sustain” part; however, the Word of God assures you that you do have those abilities, no matter how tough your prayer times are right now.

Romans 15:5 (Amplified), “Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement . . .”

God, Himself, gives us the power of patient endurance (not gritted-teeth endurance)! He gives us the ability to withstand and the ability to sustain. Since He knows how difficult these times of endurance can be, He also supplies encouragement, not just so we can withstand and sustain, but so we can maintain a good attitude all the way through whatever we face, so we can continue to represent Him accurately to the world. If you meditate on the above verse, you will find yourself being encouraged, just to be reminded that He gives the power to endure and then supplies encouragement! Here are some other verses to encourage us in these times of endurance.

Hebrews 10:35-36 “³⁵ Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. ³⁶ For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.” AMP

Hebrews 6:12 “In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises.” AMP

Colossians 1:11-12 “¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” NIV

In all this, we must never lose sight of our perfect example, Jesus, Who “for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured in order to accomplish the will of God fully, and thus receive what was promised, in the midst of greater hardship, adversity, prolonged stressful effort or activity than we can ever imagine. He willingly endured for the joy of providing eternal life for us. Our time of endurance is also for others. We, too, can willingly endure in prayer and intercession because God, Himself, gives us the same power to endure and supplies encouragement in the process. Just as with Jesus, we can know that lives will be changed and situations reversed because, by His Spirit, we endured in prayer.

Thank you, Jesus, for being our perfect example. Thank You for being our strength and the power for us to endure, and for encouragement throughout those hard times. Help us to keep looking to You, our Source and our Strength. We love You, praise You, and give You all the glory! Amen.

© Copyright 2008 Kay V. Stocking