Help To Endure!

What one word best sums up our responsibility when we face difficult times? Here's a hint, a word used dozens of times in the Bible! Give up? The answer is "endure!" Friend, let's examine this word "endure" more closely. The word literally means to "suffer through," to "last" to "abide," finish" even "survive!" Now why in the world would we be told to "endure" so many times in the Bible? The answer is that our Heavenly Father knows that, despite what some may say, this life isn't easy, and as we choose to follow Him, some of us will even be persecuted for our faith, and all of us will suffer through many heart aches, physical ailments, loss of loved ones, and many, many more hardships and trials! There will be times we will feel desperate, alone, discouraged and like just giving up! Yet, we must not! Instead, we are called to endure! Ready for the good news? Our Father doesn't just say "endure!" He is with us right where we are bearing our pain and readily available to strengthen our weary hearts, with His amazing love and grace, which is the vital sustenance to "endure!" You see it isn't enough just to go through a trial... we are called to go through it with faith and hope! We endure through Him by standing on His promises! Let's read 2 Timothy 4:5 "but you be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." Paul is writing this letter from a prison cell to encourage Timothy, reminding him that the one who perseveres will be richly rewarded! In verse 7 Paul says:" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;" (Paul had been beaten, stoned, imprisoned, etc. yet he remained faithful to his call from Christ) now here come the hope for all who faithfully endure, verse 8:" in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." Friend tonight may we endure through our trials, pain and/or difficulties with the grace and mercy of our loving Father, who will send us the Comforter! Thanks for letting me share, Randy Young