Endurance that Endures

Endurance is an intriguing enterprise in the life of a Christian.  Endurance is a character trait but it is also an action.  It is something we possess but also something we do.  In the biblical account, endurance is synonymous with perseverance.  Etymologically, they both refer to a state of being steadfast under strain. Simply put, it means staying true when there is intense pressure not to.  In the life of the believer, this means that we will stand up under pressure, particularly spiritual pressure and persecution.

There are several verses for positing the importance of endurance (Heb. 12:1-2; Jam. 1:2-3; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).  Basically, we as Christians are called to endure but endure with intent.  Although we affirm that we are born again, we simultaneously assert that we are continually being renewed and sanctified.  This is the battle that rages between the flesh and the spirit.

But we are called to endure, to persevere.  Perseverance, at its root, requires an obstacle.  It is not perseverance if there is no hindering obstruction to overcome.  When we say that we are enduring or persevering, we are affirming that there is an object that impedes us, something that is crippling or disabling our abilities in one capacity or another.  Endurance requires an object to endure.

Secondly, endurance requires distance/time to take its full effect.  It would be incorrect to call a 100m dash an endurance event.  No, we call marathons endurance events.  Why?  Because in any situation that calls for endurance or perseverance, the passage of distance/time is the measurement for the success or failure to endure.  If If a marathon runner only ran 23 mi. then he/she did not actually endure the marathon.  Endurance requires a passage of time or a traveling of distance.  These can be physical, literal, spiritual, and/or figurative

James 1 says: "let steadfastness have its full effect."  What James is saying and Paul confirms (Rom 5:3-5) is that struggles are often the soil that God chooses to use to grow fruits of divine character within us.  It is the struggle which causes growth.  The struggle itself is not the point; it is our attitude and reaction to the struggle that is of most importance.  Many people shrink when facing struggles.  God calls us to endure struggles.  Moreover, He calls us to rejoice in those struggles.

We rejoice amidst struggle because God is growing us and because God is in us.  It is a beautiful phenomenon.  It is by way of endurance that we achieve what God wills for us.  This is to be our attitude during struggle that require endurance.  We should always strive to look forward to the work that He is doing in us and through in the midst of struggles.  When life pushes us to endure, our straining should be our effort to look to and for God for everything.  When we see obstacles that will hinder us, we should be excited that God is going to be glorified in our endurance.

Remember, He blesses those who endure and persevere in righteousness.  This is not to say that enduring struggles is easy.  On the contrary, the fact that things are difficult is what necessitates endurance.  Only when it is difficult does anything require perseverance to overcome it.  We should strive though to always remain focused on the Lord and His intent in raising us up in righteousness as we are pressed to endure.