There is something inspiring about sea vegetation and trees which grow and flourish in severe, hostile terrain. Tree roots intertwine and go deep between barnacled rocks where sea weed tenaciously anchor. So, when gales blow, these plants stand strong and the algae hold fast; they don’t tumble down or wash away in stormy seas.
Some people are like that. They remain steady in life’s challenges. Seeing beyond the storms, they take each day as a gift and live with joy in spite of suffering or persecution. Other people are overcome with crippling anxiety in the uncertainties of economic, physical, emotional, or spiritual stress.
Spiritual endurance is a virtue which is not always an easy choice, but it is a choice, a determination to stay the course, to finish the race, to believe in God’s goodness and in some cases to cling to Truth in spite of crazy distortions, blatant untruths, or unrelenting difficulties when doubts, delusions, or bitterness creep in.
Trusting in God’s redemptive plan and being obedient to divine spiritual directives are as essential for healthy spiritual lives today as they were thousands of years ago. Scripture’s solution for weak, powerless faith is encapsulated in several distinctive, historical God-given directives conveyed to the Israelites on multiple occasions to keep them focused on following His divine plan as they moved into the Promised Land: “Do not turn to right or left” and “Remember” and “Be strong and courageous.”
Although God has never promised believers a stress free, trauma free life in this confused and broken world, He has always promised that His providential plans are good, that He is present and protective during adversity, that there is meaning and purpose even to suffering and persecution, and that there is eternal reward for faith (Isaiah 43:2;Romans 8: 28-29;John 3:16; Hebrews 11:6).
The Biblical heroes mentioned in Hebrews 11 faced severe faith challenges including loss, deprivation, fear, grief, doubt, torture, persecution, and even death. In the bleakest of possible outcomes, their faith held firm because they believed God. They rested in His love, goodness, and redeeming power, and submitted to the values and ways that He instructed even when there was no way to assess future outcomes apart from God’s promises. Their end goals were eternal in nature….
Just as God gave enough manna each day to the Israelities in the wilderness, He promises enough strength and courage to deal with difficulties of each of our days. Hear wisdom from the Biblical book of Proverbs: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths.(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Christ showed us the way through the whole gamut of life’s broken experiences: setbacks, adversity, misunderstanding, belittlement, grief, loss, betrayal, temptation, suffering, and death. He willingly and joyfully endured because he submitted to the divine goodness, authority, and will of his Father whom he trusted to give sufficient courage, strength, and ability to meet the challenges of one day at a time. He taught us to pray for daily needs, to be delivered from evil, to be forgiven for our transgressions, and to not be anxious about life’s tomorrows. He said that if one prioritized and sought first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things ( life’s necessities) will be added to you (Matthew 6).
The Apostle Paul learned that truth as he struggled with God over his “ thorn in the flesh” which was never healed. He discovered that reliance upon God’s promises and power kept Him humble and honored God. In his weakness He lived with divine strength. God’s “grace was sufficient” and His power was made perfect in Paul’s weakness. That is the strength found in “abiding” in Christ.
During a difficult time, our six year old son taught me that “abiding” lesson. While in the hospital recovering from complications of leukemia treatment, he decided to send a tape recorded message to his primary school class. In a sweet, child-like voice, he sang this (at that time) contemporary chorus: “One step more… One step more… Give me faith for one step more…One step more my Savior, One step more… only one step more…When the way is weary and the night is dark and dreary, never fear; He is near. Dark and Drear may be the way, but I hear my savior say, “Follow me, follow me.” One step more… One step more… give me faith for one step more…One step more my Savior, One step more… only One step more…
There it was! The answer! Spiritual endurance means following Christ along the difficult path of trusting, obeying, and resting in God’s goodness, steadfast love and faithfulness one day, one step, at a time.
Sweet Words from Maine 