Endurance
Hebrews 12:3 [AMP], Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
If Jesus needed endurance, then so will we.
Hebrews 10:36 [NLT], Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.
“A person’s capacity to persevere under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat.”
Biblical endurance says, “I might be under a heavy load right now, but I refuse to bend, break or surrender because I am convinced that the territory, promise or principle under attack at this moment rightfully belongs to me. So by God’s grace I refuse to give up. I will stand in my spot, I will not move until I’ve outlasted the stress, the pressure and the difficulty that has come my way.”
2 Samuel 23:11-12 [NLT], Next in rank was Shammah…One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, 12but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.
1. This too shall pass
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 [NLT], For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2. We are not alone in this situation
1 Peter 5:9-10 [NIV], Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
“God didn’t put them in the fire, He was faithful to met them there and walked alongside of them until it was over.”
3. We will make it through this
Psalm 23:4-6 [ESV], Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
4. Look for the positive
Romans 5:3-5 [NLT], We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it to glory.”
5. God will have the last word
1 Peter 5:8-11 [MSG], Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
