Physical and Spiritual

Endurance: Rejoicing in Suffering

by Tina

No pain no gain. True? 

What do you think of the new shoes? Bold or just really loud? I prefer to call this colour flaming magenta. It’s time to light a hot pink fire under my feet. 💓

Whether we want to advance physically or spiritually, we have to gradually build up endurance. When you first begin anything physical, be it strength training, running, or even, heaven forbid, Yoga, it’s going to take a bit of suffering. 

Sorry if you appreciate the trauma of Yoga. I’m only teasing. 🤣😂🤣 Good for you if you can strike a pose. I don’t do it myself, but I have recently started the torture of Pilates. I kind of love it.

Let’s discuss Jogging. The first time I really pushed it on my steps I burnt my throat. As I walked around the neighborhood afterwards I couldn’t stop coughing. I was sure all of my neighbors would think I had the Covid virus so I went back inside quickly that day. 

This didn’t stop me from trying again. I can be a bit stubborn when I have a goal. But I’m not very patient and I don’t really enjoy suffering. If I could achieve my physical goals in less time and with ease I absolutely would choose the easy way. Most of us would.

However, suffering, a little, builds endurance. Therefore, patience is a requirement to advance both physically and spiritually. 

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Hebrews 12:11

I’ve yet to give up the good fight so I guess this means I’m enduring. At least I have some endurance. Nevertheless, I haven’t exactly been rejoicing in my suffering. 

I AM going to show myself a little grace for many reasons: some of what I’ve experienced (depression and anxiety for example) have been a bit beyond mere feelings. This doesn’t mean that I can’t learn through the trials. 

The first step is understanding. In this case it’s helpful to understand why spiritual endurance is so important. The answer is that endurance produces character, and character produces HOPE.

I really had to think about this one and search for a bit of insight. In my search, a verse that has plagued me came to my attention. The one about being tossed about like a wave. During the last year, especially, my hope has been like a wave. It’s been so up and down so many times that it’s been a very painful experience. I’ve never been through a season quite like this one before. 

The fact that our hope can be so up and down alerts us that we still have some character building to go. Unfortunately, this means a little pain before we see those results. The good news is that as we tuck in tight to Jesus we WILL see those gains. As we do, we help others to become strong as well.

“You have become weak, so make yourselves strong again. Keep on the right path, so the weak will not stumble but rather be strengthened.”

Hebrews 12:12

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5

20 thoughts on “Endurance: Rejoicing in Suffering”

  2. I wish we were neighbors. Then you could keep me motivated to get moving. I like Pilates too! But I haven’t done much of any exercise lately. My hope goes up and down too, at times. So, Thank you for the encouragement. I love the way you put that – “tuck in tight to Jesus.”

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    1. I wish we were neighbors too Bridget. It would be fun to get you motivated to get moving. 😃 It would be nice to have your company as well. You are so welcome for the encouragement. It’s my pleasure.

      Have a wonderful weekend, friend and wannabe neighbor. The feeling is definitely mutual. ❤

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  3. Amen! How I relate! Been seeking to build endurance, physically and otherwise! May we indeed tuck in tight to Jesus! And I like the shoes! The color reminds me of the four o’clock flowers that’d grow outside my grandmother’s back door. 😊

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      1. You’re welcome! Oh, they are so pretty. They’re little and tube-shaped. They tend to bloom in the late afternoon, hence the name. 🙂

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  4. Tina, this was well written and presented in such a teaching way. Surely, you will grow, because of your own awareness. Then yes we will help others get there. In order to get to hope, my character must be built up in endurance and hope rise. Great post! thank you and God Bless you in your endeavor of spiritual growth🖤🤗

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  5. Yoga 😂😂😂😂😂. I will quietly hide my yoga books…. You must be making real progress on the fitness. I’m so pleased for you. It’s something to hold on to and work towards. You are so right about building endurance in all areas of life and God is the greatest trainer. ❤️

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  6. Yes, as we tuck in tight to Jesus we will see those gains.
    I am a Pilates person myself. I started it a couple of years back and absolutely love it. Yoga is so not my thing.

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    1. Yep, we all have our things and then those things that are just not us. Pilates is great! I am loving it too. It’s not always easy. But I kind of like the challenge and the idea of getting stronger. Thanks for the comment Manu. Have a wonderful weekend. 💙

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  7. Ahh how fun! I don’t know much about Pilates but I’d give it a go!!
    I had to give up running because I stink at it!!! We acquired some weights though last year and Nate and I have been lifting almost daily for the past few months and I’m hooked!! I’m trying to come up with a little “faith type” saying I can paint on the walls of our gym area. I like the verse you used from Hebrews.❤️
    Strength training through Him is most important!! Great post!!

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    1. Pilates is fun, but not easy. 😃 I’m not very flexible. I’d like to work on that. Weights are great, and yes, strength training through God is most important! ❤

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