Durability

We all have hardships; we all have challenges, our own demons, so to speak. It is not for us to question God about these; it should prompt us to endure.

II Thessalonians 1:1-12 (verses 3-4 shown here) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.

Endurance is something we learn. How do we learn it–by the things that hurt us, the sufferings, and the hardships. We become durable; we toughen ourselves. Imagine digging ditches. When you normally don't do this kind of work, doing so for a few hours will give you blisters. But if you do it day in and day out, your hands toughen up and it doesn't bother you. How do Alaskans live in such cold weather? They get used to it; they adapt. Notice that I said adapt not compromise or adopt.

We cannot let ourselves get to the point that we say I just can't serve the Lord; it's too hard. Are things ever so bad that we can't endure? No. Why not? A child of God never faces anything alone. There is no durability within us; the difference is God. The grace of God enables us to endure.

Think about your worst experience. You survived it; you're here. Verses 3 and 4 state that endurance is the result of something. How does it come? Notice it is through developing and maintaining your patience and faith. Your faith growth exceedingly. You believe God anyway, in spite of the circumstances. With this comes the ability to endure.

First in line is faith. Second in line is the waiting. Third is the steadfastness. The more we believe God, the more durable we become. We wait because He is in control. As we wait He helps us; He teaches us. Before we know it we are enduring and become durable. We know that in the end it will be all right.

We can do this because we know its safe to do so. Let's close us out by singing the words of this old song. I sing because I'm happy. I sing because I'm free. His eye is on the sparrow. And I know he watches me.