“ENDURANCE” – THE FORGOTTEN CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

Christian walk, very often, is compared to long-distance running. Our walk on the Narrow Way is, much like running a marathon. One of the obstacles that a marathon runner surely faces is tiredness, fatigue and exhaustion, both physical and mental. The same tiredness, fatigue and exhaustion, both physical and mental, will be faced by a Christian, in our walk with the LORD. We may very well add, emotional and spiritual tiredness, fatigue and exhaustion, to the physical and mental exhaustion. Welcome to real life.

What is the remedy for such an obstacle? The trait that separates, the winners and the participants in a marathon is, their ability, to not only cope with their tiredness, fatigue and exhaustion, but also, their ability to overcome it, with firm resolve. This resolve is called, “ENDURANCE” – which one has to build into our system, permeating our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual spheres.

As a Christian, we build our capacity to endure, when we face trails, struggles and storms, by holding on to God firmly, and to His unfailing promises with all our determination and strength. Endurance is not gained by theorising. It has to be learnt in the field, as we walk the Narrow Way. We may call it, “Learning by doing” or “Learning on the go” or “Learning on the run.”

Endurance is a trait that includes, patience, perseverance, tenacity, long-suffering, resolve, steadfastness, not giving up, holding on, grit, determination and a never-give-up spirit. When we hold on to God, with such dogged determination and tenacity, our endurance will blossom, and we will bear fruit.
– “3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” – Romans 5:3-4 (NLT)
– “2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” – James 1:2-3 (NLT)
– “13 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)
– “12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.” – 2 Timothy 2:12 (NLT)
– “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)
– “13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 24:13 (NLT)
– “4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” – Romans 15:4 (NLT)

May we always remember to patiently endure, and to purposefully persevere, in our walk with the LORD, despite all the struggles and storms. All our obstacles are meant to help us gain the much needed trait, endurance. Let us remember this always. Let us seek the LORD for His strength and grace, to help us withstand, and be victorious, through endurance. Even so the LORD help us.