The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Endurance (03/22/04)
TITLE: Endure Hardship
By Ray Hoover
03/26/04
 LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
 SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
 SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND
Paul told Timothy to endure hardship as a soldier of Jesus Christ. (II Timothy 2:3) Every time someone would tell me to endure something I always thought that something was going to happen to me that I was going to regret. The phrase "just grin and bear it" would always enter my mind. This phrase would cause me to conjure up a picture of just passively sitting back and allowing that something to pass through my life until it was over. I also remember thinking to myself, "I wish I were somewhere else besides going through this trial". This type of attitude seemed to make my situation unbearable. But since I knew I was suppose to endure hardship I would try to keep my mouth shut so that I would not end up murmuring and complaining.
Then I remembered that it was said that Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2) When I thought about this it sounded like Jesus was focused on the result of what would happen after the cross. Then it hit me. If I were to remain focused on the result of what would happen after my trial then I could remain joyful in my trial.
So what are some results of going through trials? I equate some of my trials with God chastening me. God's chastening will bring about the peaceable fruit of righteousness. The trying of our faith brings about patience. Patience is a synonym for endurance. In the book of Hebrews I am told to follow those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. So I wanted patience to be fully developed in me because I know that inheriting the promises would be the result of my faith plus patience.
I look at it this way. If I were a farmer and I planted 200 acres of corn and I knew this harvest of corn was going to feed a lot of people I would have a good attitude about protecting the corn from any danger. My attitude about tending my crop would NOT be, "Do I have to weed the crop again? Do I have to water the crop again?" or any other reasons. Take note that these attitudes are focused on me. In other words it is a lot easier to endure a hardship when I am not focused on myself (selfish).
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I ask You to grant me and others the understanding that being selfish is a roadblock to our spiritual progress. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.