Sometimes it is hard to find endurance when we are working through struggles in our life. Our struggles can be physical or emotional and may require tremendous work to overcome. Part of overcoming obstacles is to put mind over matter. When we struggle, it is often a mind game even if our pain is physical. Satan loves to get into our head and tell us that we cannot overcome our struggle. He puts road blocks in our way so that we doubt our confidence.
Why is it so important to find endurance through our struggles? Because the Bible tells us to find endurance. You may have never looked to the Bible for guidance on the topic of endurance. The Bible talks about endurance multiple times. A lot of the verses surrounding the term endurance focus on building up our character and forming us into a stronger person. Not just a stronger person, but more powerful, God-centered person.
Romans 5:3-4 ESV “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”
According to Romans, we are to rejoice in our suffering. We are to rejoice not because pain is fun, but because it changes us as a person. When we suffer as Christians, we should be turning to God in prayer. Prayer brings us closer to God by forcing us to rely on him when we are in our time of need. Without enduring suffering, we would miss so many opportunities to walk with Christ. Instead of giving up in our weakness, we should, in turn, look to God for our strength.
Philippians 4:13 NASB “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Part of building endurance is working through the struggle.
If we give up on our struggle, we are not using our relationship with God to further our spiritual growth. Working through your struggle doesn't mean that you have to move ahead pedal to the metal. You can consistently move forward as God pulls you along and clears the road ahead.
We become weak when we doubt God's goodness. We become blessed when we work through our struggles. Struggles should be viewed as blessings, not disasters. When we have full faith in God and trust him completely, everything we conquer in life makes us a stronger person. God promises to help us through our struggles. When we lack endurance, we lose the motivation to seek Gods will for our situation.
Hebrews 10:36 ESV “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
James 1:12 ESV “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
If you regularly find yourself lacking motivation and endurance to tackle the obstacles in your life, it is time to do some self-examination. Take a look at your life and ask yourself the questions: Am I trusting God? Am I seeking God's council for strength in my life? Do I search the Bible for answers that strengthen my spiritual walk with the Lord?