"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:3-6 (ESV)
I don't know about you, but nothing seems pleasant about suffering. After watching my dad endure the painful aftermath of five failed hernia surgeries, I grew up realizing that finding the purpose behind pain isn't natural. Our human nature doesn't innately think, "How can I grow from this experience?" but rather, "How quickly can I move on and be healed?"
It wasn't until I graduated from college and started suffering from physical health issues myself that I began to understand. I'd grown up with anxiety and depression, but dealing with the searing knife of Endometriosis and IBS-C was enough to set me over the edge. When the pain rarely stopped, I realized how bitter the faith of endurance is.
As of 2024, my dad has suffered for fourteen years, and I was fourteen when that agony began. I have now suffered physically for five years. I will not pretend to understand his pain, and he doesn't try to comprehend mine. Everyone in this world experiences pain—physical, mental, emotional, and social—in some way, shape, or form. One type is not greater than the other. Romans 5 reminds us that if we endure, character and hope will result.
One of the biggest misconceptions we face as Christians is that endurance never takes a break or rest. We believe that since Jesus called us to endure, we've got to do all the things, pursue all the things, work all the over time, and go, go, go until we can't go anymore.
This isn't true and damages our ability to endure patiently or steadfastly. One of the quickest routes to burnout burns the candlestick at both ends, ignoring rest like the next plague. Monica Kirkland, host of the Inner Revival podcast, says it this way: "We misconstrue endure to mean not taking a rest."
The Greek word for enduring or endurance is hupomone, pronounced hoop-om-on-ay. It means steadfastness, constancy, or endurance. The ability to be patient and wait, sustained by promises, an oath, or a pledge that keeps you pressing on.
In the New Testament, endurance is the characteristic of one who is not swayed from his deliberate purpose. He is loyal to his faith and piety despite the greatest trials and sufferings. Ephesians 4:14 (NLT) comes to my mind in this description: These types of individuals "Won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."
Endurance is our ability, through Christ, to remain steadfast. That's why endurance takes patience and steadfastness. It's not something we can achieve in one day. Think of it this way: If you wanted to run a marathon, you'd take months, if not years, to train. You would learn to eat right, exercise, and take breaks when needed. No one in their right mind would sign up for a marathon, not train at all, and then run 26.2 miles. They wouldn't make it and would burn out halfway. Why? Because endurance isn't built without tolerance and loyalty. The Christian walk to endure is the same way.
Jesus' promises nourish us amid adversity and enable us to press on. Remember, Christ is the vine and we are the branches. "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5b, NKJV). If we try to endure, press on, and push, push, push without Christ and His rest, we will end up weary and famished every time. We will not be trained to receive character and hope because we will have burned out enduring. This is not God's best for us.
If you struggle to endure the right way today, let this prayer wash over you:
Dear Lord, you know how we as human beings cannot endure without you. As we pursue godly endurance, please remind us that lasting and steadfast perseverance is only built through patience and time. We need you, Jesus, and it is by your Spirit within us that we can achieve character and hope through the painful experiences we encounter. No matter what those challenges might be, please remind us that the call to endure doesn't require us to run ourselves ragged until we're weak and weary. No, the call to endure requires us to rest in the faithfulness of your promises. And those promises ask us to endure until the end of time. Not because the suffering is pleasant, or we can immediately see the purpose, but because, in the end, all things will be set right. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/petrenkod
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Originally published Tuesday, 08 October 2024.
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