Affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. —Romans 5:3–4
Endurance for a race—or for anything in life— is built little by little, by pressing through difficulties. When you face a challenging situation through God’s power, it’s similar to running on a cold morning. God may be leading you through the trial because He has bigger battles for you up ahead. Maybe He’s training you for a marathon.
When He led the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He knew they would battle some giants. They would have to go to war against enemy nations, which they weren’t prepared for. So, God sent them into the desert for a national physical fitness program to build endurance. He wanted to prepare them for their arrival into Canaan so they wouldn’t be easily discouraged in the midst of the battle.
As you walk through the desert and look to God for provision and grace, you’ll find that He will build your endurance. And as you face tougher battles, the ones you encountered earlier won’t seem so big after all.
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Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Seeking Him daily program
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
How has God taught you endurance in the past? How did it teach you to trust Him in the midst of difficulties?