ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE
ENDURANCE is the key to victory and success. Blessings are attached to endurance and being patient. Psalm 37:24. In any situation that is unpleasant to mankind, within a short or long period, enduring the heat of the event is the key to victory, that means there is no way one will endure that will not go along with PATIENCE and discipline Romans 5:3 -4. There is no condition that is permanent, all has a passing phase like we grow gradually from infant through different developmental stages to adulthood. We go through thick and thin to build up our destinies and future to come out strong and shiny. The journey through our victory and success are the log book of testimonies that we need to testify to the greatness of God. An enduring spirit survives.
The word of God says in the book of 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18. 16. that For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (KJV)
During the period of endurance, it seems all is going to end, it seems no way out, it looks uncomfortable and sinking, with the devil striving to take the lead. Nobody will understand how we feel or how the situation has been, no one seems to get it but with persistence in prayers and worship, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. The only way to fail is to give up, so choose to keep on.
Hebrew 12:1 – 3. explained this further that Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience, the race that is set before us. 2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint not in your minds. (KJV).
While enduring, patience will enable the children of God to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit for divine direction. Patience will also teach Christians what to do and how to paddle the boat to the end. Impatience brings about action without thinking. Impatience causes failure and regrets. Impatience can lead to death.
Jesus Christ is a good example of endurance and patience. Jesus Christ went to the cross and suffered for humanity through endurance and patience despite being blameless and without sin. Through patience, He was able to detect the voice of God and differentiate it from that of the devil. It was not easy for Jesus too, He went to Gethsemane and prayed in agony, His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:24. He asked God why He forsook Him but with patience, He triumphed.
Other biblical examples include Job who was faced with difficult situations but later came out victoriously, God restored all that he lost. Paul was imprisoned severally, beaten, stoned, had shipwrecks and lots more but he came out victoriously through praises, endurance and patience. Others include David, Joseph, Ruth, Abraham, Jacob among others.
No matter the great pains of life, endurance and patience brings about hope and survival till the end and definitely, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Shalom