ENDURANCE

For many of us, the word “endurance” tends to bring to mind an elite athlete – the marathon runner, Ironman triathlete, or Olympian who has trained his or her whole life for a single shot at gold. But endurance in the game of life is something we all must learn. Similar to faith, endurance is muscle. The more life asks us endure, the stronger we grow. In learning to endure, we are both accepting timing we can’t control, and choosing to believe that the wait itself has purpose.

And so we wait…for dreams to come true – a job, a spouse, a child… for the intangible things in life – healing, peace, joy. We wait through seasons – for one to end or another to begin. 

Developing endurance is neither easy nor comfortable. But it is worth it. Learning to trust the Father’s goodness even when the path before us is dim is what stimulates growth in our faith. Sometimes God levels the mountain in our way. But in the moments when He doesn’t, we can rest in the fact that His Holy Spirit has already given us everything we need to endure the climb over it. And when we do, we find ourselves changed, for God wastes nothing. And in endurance, we build character…

Thoughts & Questions for Journaling:

We are all enduring something. What has God already shown you about Himself while you wait? What has He shown you about yourself?

How is waiting pushing you out of your comfort zone? 

What would it look like to rest in His goodness today even though you may feel tired or discouraged? 

Prayer: 

Father, this life can be hard to endure sometimes. But we know that in You, we have been given everything we need to overcome. Thank you for walking every road with us, guiding us each step of the way, and carrying us when we can’t take another step on our own. We ask for Your strength and Your peace during the days that seem too hard to bear. Help us to put our faith in You regardless of our circumstances, and trust that nothing is too much for You.