Living in the modern pressure-cooker of the world of today is tough. For many of us life seems to be a long marathon of running from one emergency to another. Everyday there are several major things that each person needs to accomplish. Therefore, many people find themselves hanging dangerously heavy weights of anxiety on very thin threads of patience. Tempers flare, stomachs churn, ulcers bleed, hearts break, nerves unravel, minds blow. The thread of patience frequently breaks and needs repair. Some people snap, some drop out while others tighten their grip and try to cope. The saddest thoughts are about those who were once faithful Christians, but who have now given up – they were not able to cope with the pressures of life or the pleasures of sin. We must learn that coping with life is often taking three steps forward and two steps back. But the answer is to endure – keep on keeping on.
Endurance or Perseverance.
One dictionary defines perseverance as, “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” The most common word in the Greek for “endurance” is hupomone which is made up of two words hupo (under) and mone (abide) [Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words by W. E. Vine]. Think about those two words which define “perseverance.” When difficult times come, the person who perseveres is the one who “abides” (continues) “under” the pressure. He or she doesn’t give up. The problem doesn’t just disappear, but as long as the challenge lasts, that person “abides” “under” the situation. The KJV translates that Greek word with the English word “patience” but that Greek word has a deeper meaning than what our English word patience has. Notice how that Greek word is used in several Scriptures.
Speaking of the seed of the kingdom, the word of God that fell into good soil it said, “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart; and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance” (Luke 8:15).
Speaking about difficult times the Bible says, “And not only this, but we also exult (boast) in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope and hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:3-5).
Speaking about those trials, not temptations, that come into one’s life James said, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
How do we learn to endure?
First, realize that we have just one purpose in life. What do you see as your purpose in life? What do you want to accomplish? When you die, what do you want people to remember about you? Whether or not we believe it, everything on earth and the universe is one day going to be burned up. Peter, writing by the guidance of God said, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). What good is accomplished by having an earthly goal – even if it is a great accomplishment? Solomon tried everything in his physical surroundings but when he was through with his great experiment he said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV). If our goal is not to fear God and keep His commandments, our goal is not worth much! It will crash and burn!
Our determination ought to be like the apostle Paul, “One thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
Second, don’t add tomorrow’s weight to today’s load. When one is struggling to carry a heavy load, the last thing he or she needs is for someone to add an additional weight to the load. The same is true with living our daily lives. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus concluded the section about the struggles of life by basically saying, “Take it one day at the time.” “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). He had proven His point by talking about birds and lilies. Since God takes care of them, He will take care of His people. But to be a faithful follower of God, Jesus commanded, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). As stated above, serving God must be our purpose in life.
Third, know that strength and help are available. God knew that all of us need help and so He established the church. “Church” is not a building, but people who are obedient to God. The church is filled people of like-mind. Faithful children of God love their brethren that is why Paul instructed, “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). When we are struggling is not the time to quit going to the assembly; it is time to call upon members of the church.
Not only is there help from humans, but divine help is near. “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Peter struggled with endurance, but because he persevered, he was able to say about God “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7). Paul expressed the same assurance when he wrote, “The Father…would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).
Fourth, learn to wait for God to work. It is hard to wait on anything. Think of the times we speed up to get through a yellow light because we don’t want to wait a few seconds on a red light. But think about the great benefits by waiting on God. “Though youth grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary” (Isaiah 40:30-31).
Conclusion
Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Endurance will be rewarded. You will reach the goal of being with God and all faithful followers of God for eternity! It is worth it! Endurance is the key to a successful Christian life.
Wayne Burger