Endurance Training

[we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance – Colossians 1:11 Amplified Bible

Running a marathon by the age of forty used to be a goal of mine. Key words in that sentence being “used to”. Now, at the age of forty five, my thoughts towards running a marathon are “a’int nobody got time for that”.

I admire endurance athletes. Their dedication to their sport fascinates me. Training for a marathon takes hours and hours of disciplined effort. I have friends that get up at 4am every morning to run. I have friends that run despite having plantar fasciitis. I have friends that run whether it is 10 below or 90 and humid. As for me, I am more of a jog/walk when the sun is out and its 68-72 without humidity, and with a friend, kind of Girl.

When it comes to setting and reaching goals I often hear the quote “it is a marathon, not a sprint”. Though I tend to roll my eyes at the cliche of it, it really is true. In order to accomplish anything worthwhile, it is going to require endurance training of some sort.

It is no different with our faith. Our faith journey will require ongoing endurance training. According to today’s verse, there is more than one kind of endurance we will need.

We will need emotional endurance to forgive, and to walk in love towards others. We will need physical endurance to accomplish the things God has planned for us. Most of all, we will need spiritual endurance when the enemy attacks our beliefs through sickness, lack, broken relationships, and the many, many, lies he speaks to us daily.

endurance:

1. the fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships, etc.

2. the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina

3. something endured, as a hardship; trial.

When I look at the above definitions for endurance, specific situations and events come to mind. I think of the financial hardships we have gone through. I think of the pain of lost loved ones. I think of the times I was so exhausted and stressed out over a situation in my life.

Yet, despite these things, I am still here. And so are you! We have come through and are on the other side of many trials, struggles, and pains. We still believe that God is good. We still believe His promises are true. We know with all our being that life with Him is far better than life without Him, no matter how big the trial may be.

It says in James 1:3-4 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Clearly my endurance is not perfect and complete, as I am still in need of a few things :). However, the Good News is that we do not have to do this endurance training on our own. According to today’s verse we are strengthened by the glorious might and power of Christ.

This glorious power is nothing to scoff at. It is a power like no other as we will learn tomorrow. I will give you a little hint: It will blow your mind…

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your unfailing love towards me. Thank you for blessing me with all of the strength and endurance I will need for each day. Thank you for the many times you have strengthened me in the midst of trial and hardship. Thank you for promising me that I will come out of the trial stronger than better than before. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Love, Grace, and Enduring Faith For Us All,

Jen

You may also like

Leave a Reply Cancel reply