Endurance

by Rocky Fleming

Day Four

Scripture:  “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”  (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)

Thought:  It is obvious in this scripture that endurance is an outcome of difficult experiences if we process through them in a healthy manner.  These difficulties and the outcome will become a blessing if we will stand up under the tests.  How do we stand?  We stand with God’s help.  He will show us a way out of those difficulties so that we can endure.  God is forming endurance in us with such trials.

Application:  I’m getting to a point where I need to back off telling younger men, “I‘ve been through that same thing before as well.“  The truth is at 75 years of age I have been through a lot of experiences, and I think it helps a guy going through a trial to know I know what he is feeling.  I hope they understand this.  The scripture above tells us that there are no new temptations.  Another person has faced every one of our temptations or trials at some point in their life.  However, when we are in a trial, we can think it is unique only to us.  What I went through with my experiences, other people went through as well.  I know what it is like to think that my particular problems were unique, and, as well, to be encouraged by someone who had similar problems and made it through them.   Their words comforted me.  Of course the best assurance we have is that Jesus was tested in everything we are tempted in and yet He stood under the test.  Read it yourself:
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT)

If there is one thing that I am absolutely convinced of, it is that we have the ability to endure all tests if we stand under them with Jesus.  He has compelled us to lean into Him when the going gets tough.  He allows things to be tough from time to time, for He is building endurance in His man or woman.  We need this quality.  However, it is not an easy road to find it.  Jesus made this clear to all of His disciples.  It is a narrow, least traveled road that we must walk on.  It is lonely.  Not a lot of people are on it with us.  But the most important Person is with us.  Jesus walks with us through every turn, and warns us of every dangerous pitfall.  He is our companion.

Where are you right now?  Are you going through a time that is lonely and maybe even desperate?  This is where you lean into Jesus and ride out this storm.  Endure the storm.  You will get through it, and when you do, a new person will emerge who is ready to take on more storms and enjoy the ride with them.  Take some time to process my words, and if they find a home in your heart, respond in the way you feel led by the Spirit to do so.
Response:  Does it help to be reminded that Jesus knows exactly what you are going through right now?  Lean into Him and allow Him to comfort you.  This is how you learn endurance.