Patient Endurance

 Happy Sunday!

"Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your Patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your Patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."(James 1:2-4 Living Bible).

Did you see that word?   That word we usually hate to hear?  What word?  I'm so glad you asked.  PATIENCE.  Patience is the word we don't like, but it's necessary.  The writer of Hebrews said, "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."(Hebrews 10:36 KJV).  It could be that we don't like this word because we have an incorrect definition of the word.  Most people think it means being passive, being satisfied with whatever comes your way, or just waiting for someone else to do something.  But this word would better be translated as "Endurance".  Rick Renner defines patient endurance as "the power to face down the enemy; like a soldier who is ordered to maintain his position in spite of intense opposition".  This definition makes me think of Ephesians 6:13-14 when the Apostle Paul encouraged us, "take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore,"(KJV).  Patience means to stand your ground!

Webster's Dictionary 1828 defines patience as "The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent".  Bet you're wondering how this can ever be accomplished.  When we trust God, it is possible to be patient.  When we know that his Word is Truth and it will never fail, we can be patient.  Patience requires Faith.  Hebrews 11:1 says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."(Living Bible).

"Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.  It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute.  But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;  if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way."(Hebrews 10:35-36 Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia