endurance

as i have matured as a christian, i have realized that some seasons of life are seasons where we are just called to endure.  "just" enduring in life may sound a bit fatalistic or dramatic, but i think its biblical.  consider these verses (which i have come to love in my seasons of endurance):


"as an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:10-11 (esv)

"The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD." Lamentations 3:25-26 (esv)


"But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.' Hebrews 10:32-36 (esv)

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (esv)



the pastor of my old church described it best, and i will never forget his words.  he said that most americans (including christians) think that life will be mostly happy and easy with periods of hardship.  the bible, on the other hand, describes that the christian life on this earth will be difficult, but that God promises seasons of rest along the way.

right now is a season of endurance for me.  please don't read this as a complaint- i am very thankful for all the blessings God has given us right now, and he have given me so much joy in the midst of it all.  but the day to day with two babies and the emotional ups and downs of foster care is hard work with no end in sight, and i must endure.

endurance may sound static (and it usually feels static) but it isn't.  it is building to something:

"...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."  Romans 5:3-5 (esv)


"and after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you". 1 Peter 5:10 (esv)


its hard to see what God is doing during these seasons (but usually months or years later it becomes more clear).  but part of waiting and enduring well is having the faith that he is in control and that he is working good from it all (romans 8:28).