Endurance - Part 1

Endurance. Not something I love.  I love laying on the grass and watching birds and clouds, floating on the ocean with occasional dives into the cool, salty water or leisurely hikes on a slightly inclined path with brief obstacles to jump over or climb.  In my "kinesiology" class in college one of the requirements was to run a mile and a half or to walk for three in a certain amount of time.  I worked my butt off that semester to run the 1.5 miles in 12 minutes rather than powerwalk for 45.   I about passed out afterward but at least it didn't last long!  If I have to suffer let it be quick! Long-suffering, patient endurance, perseverance through trial... not my strongsuit.  Many things came easily to me as a child so when something was difficult, I wasn't particularly interested.  To this day, I struggle with this tendency to avoid long-term difficulty. We probably all do to some extent, but there are some people who have a unique ability to press into difficult things, grow in them and, as a result, to become more like the person Jesus created them to be.  I want to be more like that.

Scripture is full of wisdom about endurance.  I think of scriptures such as these:

"...We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." Romans 12:1-2

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

And on and on and on...

So how does that change?  How do I become a person of endurance, who presses into the hardship rather than turning away from it?  The Lord has been taking me on that journey these past few months.  Part of that journey has been laying down lies that led me to believe the trial was evidence of my inadequacy.   When we have the wrong view of suffering we easily believe the lie that "I must be doing something wrong" or "I'm a failure" or "Who am I to think I could make a difference here? I'm the wrong person for the job."  Suffering and hardship are a part of our fallen world and are a part of any growth process.  We lift weights because we are weak, not because we are already strong! Unfortunately, in the Christian world we often believe that we have to be strong before we begin a task, follow a calling or lead others.   I am in a season of some serious "body building" and that process is freakin' painful.  Many times I am tempted to believe that the hardship means I am just not good at this, or that I should do something I'm more naturally gifted at, something that doesn't cause me as much pain.  Fortunately, I have the Holy Spirit and a supportive community of people who frequently say, "The hardship is right where you are supposed to be. Growth in the place of weakness is the very best thing for you.  It IS hard, and that's ok."  

This is where we begin.  We begin by understanding that hardship is a part of the growth.  If we stick with it, with our eyes fixed on Jesus and his undying love for us,  that suffering will produce perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4  And when we are full of perseverance, character and hope, just imagine what we will be able to accomplish for the kingdom of God.  THAT will be well worth the journey.

A song for this truth: Called Me Higher