Spiritual Endurance

Scripture has much to say about things like endurance, perseverance and steadfastness. A strong Christian walk--the kind that God desires for us that demonstrates Christ-like character--requires us to have spiritual endurance. So the obvious questions are why is spiritual endurance so important? How do we obtain it? What hinders us from having it?

James 1 tells us that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness (v.3) and that if we allow it to build in our lives, we will be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (v.5). The testing of our faith comes through the trials we endure that God allows to help us grow in spiritual maturity. Although these trials may be difficult and painful, we are to consider them with joy (v.1) in knowing that they will ultimately strengthen us and helps us with what we need to live victoriously.

We obtain spiritual endurance by exercising our faith; by looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). When we read Hebrews 11, commonly know as the faith hall of fame, we see people who in many ways were flawed like we are, but remained steadfast in their faith. They were obedient to what God called them to do; even if the didn't completely understand why and they were sure and certain of what was promised to them by Him.

To maintain spiritual endurance, we must lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely (Hebrews 12:1). This means we need to eliminate the things in our life that hinder our endurance and keep us from following Jesus. Ungodly habits and relationships, unconfessed sin and meaningless activities and pursuits are the weights that drag us down that we must lay aside. Sin is always near and our enemy's goal is to keep us entangled, distracted and separated from the Father. We must never forget that above all else, God rewards faithfulness--the kind that produces endurance.