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A Life Of Endurance
“What’s within us is stronger than what’s in our way.” Erik Weihenmayer, first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He is also the author of “The Adversity Advantage: Turning Everyday Struggles Into Everyday Greatness”, where he shares hard-earned lessons and practical advice for using adversity as fuel for growth and innovation.
A Christian life is a marathon. We need endurance daily and be a “Faithful Fanatic.” Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before him. Most of us can deal with the day to day routine. The tough problems that keep coming back are the ones that many of us have difficulty dealing with. As Christians we need to be men and women of resilience and not quitters.
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrew 10:36. A Christian life requires sustained determination. There is so much brokenness in the world, children to feed with limited resources, tension in the workplace, mistakes that trouble you. The list goes on and on.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12. Trails and suffering are not unique to you. God wants to instill upon us super endurance.
6 strategies to achieve a life of endurance
1. Embrace your adversity
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4.
Trials and tribulations develop character and hope. It is the secret of maturity.
2. Surround yourself with champions
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2. Be motivated by stories of people that have gone through adversities and have successfully overcome them.Â
3. Find your passion and pursue it with focus
Without passion, it is extremely difficult to stay focus especially in the midst of difficulties and self doubt. Identify your passion, pursue it with laser sharp focus to achieve your dream.
4. Get rid of what is holding you back
What weight is holding you back? Shed it and drop it. Is it unbelief? Past mistakes and experiences? Job loss? Divorce? Break up?
5. Don’t think of quitting
Psychologist Angela Duckworth shows in her book “Grit” that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.” Angela has found that grit—a combination of passion and perseverance for a singularly important goal is the hallmark of high achievers.
6. Stay focused on goal
Jesus endured the cross. Our ability to endure is rooted in the enduring quality of God. His might will be the core of your life to be enduring in life. Coaches know that races are won at the end of the race when a runner is able to endure and pass the competitors at the finish line.
I want to be an enduring follower of Jesus. Quitters always look back with regret. Let us therefore remember that God is getting us ready for something bigger than what we are experiencing now.
Listen to Dr. David Jeremiah, Pastor of Shadow Mountain Church, San Diego and New York Times Best-Selling Author full message on A Life Of Endurance here.
