Patience Produces Endurance

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help up develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” Romans 5: 3-5

I (Jessica) went home over the weekend to spend some time with my family and relax. Saturday morning I would have have been quite content on the couch with my Mom drinking coffee; however, I decided to go for a run because I am training for another half marathon. Reluctantly, I started off my run stiff, I was freezing, my legs felt like the weighed a million pounds, my chest was hurting more like burning, and running up an incline on gravel is flat out HARD. I wanted to give up so bad because I felt like I was running at the pace of a turtle; however, I continued to push forward in hopes that my run would get better. Finally, I reached some level ground and I start picking up my pace. My pace continued to increase greatly throughout the run, and I was able to actually enjoy the run. Even though my run started out awful, it ended up being one of my better runs. I did not give up in the beginning when it was brutally hard, and I kept driving forward even though I had doubts and was experiencing physical pain. I find so much truth in this verse, "And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." Hebrews 12:2.

Life can throw strong punches, and they will hurt if you do not have defense against them. God is your defense. Life can seem to be just like the beginning of my run, unbearable and hard. Do you ever feel like you can not move through life one second longer because you feel as if you are carrying more than you can bear ? Do you ever question if you are ever going to get an answer to prayer ? Yep, we live in a twisted problematic world; however, God is right by your side and he will help you push on though anything, it takes endurance though. 

To endure means: "Inch by inch, anything is a cinch"

To endure means: "There is no gain without pain."

To endure means: "When faced with a mountain, I will not quit. I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath . . . or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine, with God's help"

We all want our lives to run smoothly without problems, but without adversity there would be no challenge to push to be successful. Everyone would just be on even ground, there is no glory for God in that type of lifestyle. We cannot always get what we want when we want it, that is just life and you know that, but do you accept it? When we can not see any good in our lives and everything seems to be up in the air, you must find the strength not to give in, instead push twice as hard. You cannot push harder without God, and all you have to do is put your FULL trust in Him and ask for his help. We all get impatient, but you must not let those feelings control you or else you are going to be pushed to exhaustion and failure. God is not trying to tease you or ignore your requests about what you desire, instead he is building your endurance while you are waiting. Align your desires with God by praying, and in His time through the endurance that he produces in you, the blessing will come.

You may be asking well how long am I going to have to suffer through this--  I can only take so much. God will not push you harder than what you can handle, He knows what He is doing. Give thanks for everything that you do have and do not focus on what you do not have; by doing this you are expressing trust to God. If you keep your mind set on what you want you are going to completely miss what He has planned for you. 

I know that waiting for what you want seems impossible and at times it is painful in the midst of the process. However, I do know that God has a purpose behind what He is doing in your life. God is never going to fail you because He loves you more than we can fathom. God's love is your strength, and it will hold you together. Constantly remind yourself that nothing that keep you from His love, and that is your internal push towards eternity.

Whenever you receive what you have been patiently waiting for it is going to be SO rewarding and fulfilling because you know that it is fully deserved because you waited patiently. You did not give into your own selfish desires to try and seek out what you wanted on your own, instead you stuck it out with God. Do not give into those temptations of giving up, just endure everything and keep moving forward. Do not ever back down or let negative thoughts win you over. The problems that you are facing do not define you, God defines you, and all you have to do is keep moving ahead in strong faith with a heart that is patient to his plans. Your patience will pay off, and the moment you start to fade just remember this, "Because he (Jesus) never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." Hebrews 12:3 The Message

Much Love,

Jessica