Endure

2Timothy 4:5 "But you be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

The second command of Paul in this verse dealing with "The Charge to a Christian Soldier" is ENDURE HARDSHIP. American Christians, for the most part, don't truly understand what it's like to endure hardship as a soldier for Christ. (Don't go crazy over that statement if you have suffered for Christ and start sending me emails telling me to where I can put this devotion.) Hardship to the average American is the cable going out, the battery on the remote control dying, gas prices going up, getting passed up for a raise or promotion, or just struggling to pay bills we can't afford as a result of our desires to have what we don't need. We will beg, borrrow, and steal to avoid hardship instead of actually enduring it. There is also what some call "The Prosperity Gospel" being preached today and people are buying into it. The whole idea that God doesn't want you to be sick, poor, hurt, or uncomfortable is "tickeling the ears" of the mulititude. They, in turn, try to barter with God in order to avoid suffering. The whole concept of giving in order to receive has spread like wild-fire because of the greed mentality of our society today.

Paul commands us to "endure hardship" not "avoid hardship." Not only is this a command to endure, but it is also a promise that you will, without a doubt, as a Christian experience hardship in your lifetime. Hardship is inevitable, so when you experience it, ENDURE! The only way to endure hardship is to consistenly, completely, and faithfully rely on the promises of God. There is no way to endure hardship apart from the truth of God's word. Just like diamonds are formed in extreme pressure and gold is refined by passing through fire; Spiritual maturity comes through suffering! Spiritual maturity is refined by enduring hardship! Enduring hardship is God's refining furnace for Spiritual growth. This is why James tells us to consider the trials of life a joy. Persevering through trails produces endurance and the perfect result of endurance is Spiritual maturity. The path to Spiritual maturity passes through many levels of hardship and the only way to "endure" through the process is to rest in the promises of God. God in His marvelous grace has supplied you with everything that you need to endure hardship in your lifetime, all you have to do is trust. Can you trust God? If the answer is yes, then stop trying to avoid hardship and endure it. God is trying to refine you. Let Him!!!!