Endurance
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Romans 5:3
Romans 5:3
That verse should tell us…warn us even…perseverance is not easy to achieve…because it’s produced by suffering. It’s not produced by seasons of the easy life…seasons with no battles…seasons we don’t cry out to God in determined prayer…seasons that everything is going good.
I’ve never set out to achieve perseverance, but its pathway has seen my steps many times. Quite honestly I’ve never prayed, "Lord, let me suffer! Let my family suffer! Please place me in the front line on the battlefield. I want the enemy to attack…help me to develop perseverance!" I usually ask God to end my battle and take away my suffering, my problem, my worry, or my fear. When I pray in that way (which I am very guilty of)...what I am really asking God to do is not give me endurance, not provide me with perseverance, and more importantly…to not give Him glory. I wish there were a verse in the Bible that would tell me there is an easy way (because I like easy!) to gain endurance, perseverance, and give God all the glory. But then…that glory would not be backed by a story of faith, a testimony of how God provided during that season of struggle, that land of famine that I had to crawl across to gain the benefit…of perseverance in that circumstance.
In Ephesians 6 we are warned there is a battle, a spiritual battle. We must be equipped because at the heart of the battle...is a soul...with an eternal destination. That soul will need perseverance for this earthly journey. What may appear to us as a small and insignificant weekly battle…such as getting children to church and Sunday school (and that can be a real battle we don’t even recognize)...is really a much bigger battle. The enemy wants that battleground each week. He wants that territory in their lives. The enemy wants parents to feel tired and he puts in minds that weekly church is not important. Our weeks are already full with loads of laundry, homework that we have to Google to find the answers to, soccer, football, basketball, fixing meals, the list is endless.
The enemy wants you to believe that attending church and learning about God does not have the immediate impact of a winning soccer game, or an A on the math paper your child has been struggling with. The immediate benefits of planting seedlings of faith (which will someday produce perseverance) in God are unseen to the human eye, but in the realm of spiritual battle the consequences of the journey through life without this spiritual knowledge are huge. They can be...life changing and eternal destiny altering. There are many examples of what the enemy tells us are "No big deal", but in the end...
It's a matter of life and death.
We need to develop perseverance for the journey because…
The battles are real. The wounds are deep. The conflict is constant. The enemy is trying to engage in your heart. In your families heart. He gains access little by little. Jesus never told us the battle we faced would be easy. In fact, the Bible tells us the opposite...we will suffer for our faith. The enemy will make our suffering almost unbearable. He wants to break us. Weaken our defenses. How? By placing unbearable suffering on...our weak spot. I don't know what your weak spot is...but the enemy will find it and that...will be his target. Even your faith and beliefs will be under his attack when he sees God is changing your heart.
Nothing is off limits to him...except hell.
The enemy may use suffering in an attempt to defeat you (read Job), but remember the Bible tells us suffering produces the following: character and hope (Romans 5:3,4), steadfastness (James 1:2), glory (Romans 8:18), and genuineness of faith (1 Peter 1:6). These are just a few of the things the Bible promises you’ll gain through suffering. You will become a warrior...battle scared, but victorious because of a mighty God, who stoops from His throne to go before you in the battle (Deut. 31:8) and make a way for victories (Isaiah 42:19, Matthew 19:20) you can't see.
It's a matter of life and death.
We need to develop perseverance for the journey because…
The battles are real. The wounds are deep. The conflict is constant. The enemy is trying to engage in your heart. In your families heart. He gains access little by little. Jesus never told us the battle we faced would be easy. In fact, the Bible tells us the opposite...we will suffer for our faith. The enemy will make our suffering almost unbearable. He wants to break us. Weaken our defenses. How? By placing unbearable suffering on...our weak spot. I don't know what your weak spot is...but the enemy will find it and that...will be his target. Even your faith and beliefs will be under his attack when he sees God is changing your heart.
Nothing is off limits to him...except hell.
The enemy may use suffering in an attempt to defeat you (read Job), but remember the Bible tells us suffering produces the following: character and hope (Romans 5:3,4), steadfastness (James 1:2), glory (Romans 8:18), and genuineness of faith (1 Peter 1:6). These are just a few of the things the Bible promises you’ll gain through suffering. You will become a warrior...battle scared, but victorious because of a mighty God, who stoops from His throne to go before you in the battle (Deut. 31:8) and make a way for victories (Isaiah 42:19, Matthew 19:20) you can't see.
Without endurance you can’t hold up under suffering. When the rent can’t be paid, the job has ended, the divorce papers arrive, your child suffers from addiction...you’ll need the steadfast endurance you can only gain through walking through seasons of suffering. You will also gain the assurance of hope and the confidence that the suffering will stop and the victory will be won. Remember the story of Joseph, what his brothers intended for harm...God used for good. It can’t be seen with the human eye, BUT GOD produces much good from suffering. In our weakness we are made perfect…And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Devotional questions to ponder –
Devotional questions to ponder –
- What struggle are you currently facing?
- What struggles have you faced on your journey before?
- How did God intervene in your previous struggle(s)?
- Look up some scriptures that whisper God’s promise to your heart (even when you can’t see it with human eyes) that you can always trust Him, reassuring you that God is in control of your situation?
- Pray in all circumstances that you may be strengthened and receive God’s wisdom and endurance for your situation.
Prayer—Heavenly Father, may our suffering be for Your glory. We know the battles we face will be fierce. Prepare us and strengthen us for the battlefield. Give us Your wisdom, guidance, and strength to gain the victory for Your glory. May our struggles increase our testimonies so that we can boast, not about us, but about You to others. In Jesus Name, Amen