Hopeful Endurance

I consider myself a fairly patient person. More than that, you can ask anyone in my family, too, and I’m sure they’ll say the same. My intent in saying as much isn’t to toot my own horn (we all come with certain strengths we find a little easier than other things), but actually I want to bring thoughtful observation to the concept of patience, namely that even when we think we’ve got something down pat pretty well, there’s always going to be something that comes along and tests that resolve and proves we still must rely on the Holy Spirit’s help.

Jesus warned us that we were going to have trouble in this world (John 16:33), which should prepare us for the fact that, except when resting in Him, this rotten system we currently live in will constantly push our buttons and try to trip us up—the devil’s always looking for someone to ruin, as per 1 Peter 5:8.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (NKJV)

That’s a lot of opportunity to have our patience tested, and I know many times we often wonder when it will ever end; when will we get a moment’s peace; when will these attacks take a break. I know I’ve had that thought a lot, especially over the last two and a half years. It’s a life-long struggle liable to make us want to give up and accept whatever plot the enemy has for us. Without this patience, which we’ll discuss a little more in-depth, we can find ourselves lost in a wilderness spiritually, or wondering if we’re ever going to fix an important relationship that’s gone sour, or if we’ll be stuck in a loop of lack or sickness or fear while you try to dig yourself out of it.

Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. We’ve said the wrong things, focused on the wrong things, accepted the wrong things. Peter assures us we’re not alone in this in verse 9.

Resist him [the devil], steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:9 (NKJV)

BUT. And this is a big one, folks. BUT! We have been armed for exactly these sorts of situations. We are not helpless and left to flounder on our own. Jesus equipped us with faith, and through that faith we have wisdom to utilize the Sword of the Word which gives us the means to have patience.

What is this patience? Is it passive waiting? It is blind hope that eventually one day things will be better? Absolutely not, and thank God for that! This patience we’ve been given to wield in this life is the means to face challenges with hopeful endurance.

Second Peter 1:2-7.

Verse 6 says ‘and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;’

Patience in the Greek is derived from the word hupomenō, which means to remain under or to endure. Meaning that we have been given through our faith and diligence the power to withstand anything and everything that life throws at us and tries to weigh us down with. We can successfully stay exactly where God has put us and, so long as we keep Him and His Word in ours mouths and thoughts, regardless of what occurs, good or bad, we can happily endure it. This of course strongly ties with casting our cares on Him. (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22) Meaning we have a part to play in this endurance, and it’s not to strain or fight except in allowing the Word to dictate our thoughts and words spoken over ourselves and our family.

No matter how skillful we are in our strengths, we can still reach a natural limit that requires His grace to help lead us through life’s events, but in Him and through Him we can endure anything with joy as we increase more and more, going from glory to glory, all to His glory and not our own.

Confession: I am anointed to have endurance on a level that the world is not familiar with, all to the glory of God!