You Have Need of Endurance

Maybe it's the podcasts, memes, or these influencers but somewhere along the line Christians

started believing that if things get hard we should give up or that it can't be in God's will. Did you know that the promises of God aren't only about “blessings”? They're also about hardship.

In John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

"Will" used there in the verse suggests certainty, not possibility, which means it can't be escaped. One can say it's promised, right? Because it is. As long as there is an adversary, there will be evil (sin) which then leads to all the ugly things that we hate.

While there are some things that truly shouldn't be endured, maybe you aren't supposed to end that friendship, leave that church, resign from that job or give up on the marriage.

Christ endured great suffering for the liberty of salvation that you enjoy today, while carrying out God's purpose in the earth.

I know what Social Media has said but here's the truth: you're not meant to walk away from everything that doesn't "serve" you. Some difficult things are for you to go through. You just have to decide if you're going to be steered by what you feel or the Lord's will.

Brother James starts his letter with a lovely encouragement. He says, “when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” I can imagine how offensive or even stupid this is to the unbeliever but for the Saint it certainly should be the goal, as hard as it can be. The Son of God pursues God in hardship (Psalm 61:2). The Child of God gives thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The Believer casts their burdens on Him knowing He cares (1 Peter 5:7).

Life's tribulations should never cause you to curse God. They are invitations to access peace. They are calls to the kind of intimacy that builds faith. They are prompts to release secrets.

What if we, Saints of God, separated from the world, start to live by God's word again? Do you know how much more joy and peace we would have? Do you know how much heartache we would be spared?

James continued to say, “when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

Often we forfeit our own development because we are haughty and impatient. Abba may not be the one to afflict you but what I'm sure of is that He wastes nothing. Have you been allowing yourself to be fully developed? Maybe it isn't that God is teaching you a lesson. It could be that you're not yet formed because you keep coming off the Potter's wheel.

To come into spiritual maturity, you have need of endurance.

To guard your heart from disappointment, you have need of endurance.

To shield your mind from deceit, you have need of endurance.

Romans 12:12 says, “be patient in trouble and keep on praying”. Don't allow impatience to lead you into unfaithfulness. Nothing you're facing or will face is new and surely not unique to you. As a son, though, you do have an advantage by genuinely trusting in God.

The bottom line is this, while we pass through this realm as pilgrims, there will be challenges. But we can never lose sight of God's purpose for us here, because the enemy is fulfilling his. So run the race with patient endurance that you may receive the crown of Glory. Abide in Him and endure for the promise.