The God of Endurance
Where does endurance come from?
Verse of the Day
“May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude.”
Today’s Devotional
Today is the last day of our study of endurance. And I love how God works. Today’s verse was not in my original list of verses to use. But this morning I tried a meditation app that a friend recommended. And this was the verse from today’s meditation. As I sat quietly and participated in this guided meditation, this verse was spoken many times and from several different Bible translations.
It was like God was saying to me, “Endurance comes from me! I am the Source. And not just the source of endurance, I am also the source of encouragement. To cheer you on as you are learning how to follow me. When you lack endurance or you need encouragement, just come to me!”
Do you see the beauty and kindness in that?
When I need a battery for my car, I go to a store that carries car batteries. When I need a dessert (that I don’t bake myself), I go to a bakery. And just so you know, I don’t bake much. When I need clothing, I go to a store that sells clothing. When I need any other consumer item, I go to a store or website that offers that item. That makes sense, right?
When I need any godly quality or characteristic, I need to apply the same logic. God is the God of endurance. So when I need endurance, I need to go to God. Sit at His feet. Invite Him into my life, my heart, my thoughts, my day.
We have looked at the need for endurance and the blessings of endurance. We have looked at biblical examples of endurance. We have even talked about God being the source of endurance a few days ago. But God showed me this verse today, so I’m following His lead.
I need endurance to have the attitude of Jesus. I need endurance to deal with other humans in a way that honors God. I need endurance to deal with my own humanness. I believe God is inviting each of us to ask, daily, for Him to give us a measure of His endurance. I believe God is continually inviting each of us to come to Him for encouragement.
How would your life be different today if you had the same attitude that Jesus had? How would life be different if we all had the attitude of Jesus? I dare say it would be a very different human experience. But the only person each one of us can control is ourself. So that’s where we start.
As I participated in the meditation on this verse, the leader invited me to imagine that God was standing in front of me and inviting me to share all of my problems and struggles with Him. Then the leader asked, “How do you think God is responding to you?” The thought that instantly came to my mind was God wrapping me in a huge hug. (See the picture above…)
What if God is offering to wrap you in His love today? What if as you come to Him with all of your baggage, struggles, fears, worries, and doubt, He just wraps you up in His love? And what if being wrapped in God’s love is what we need to be people of patient endurance in this world? We cannot have the same attitude that Jesus had (and has) without being wrapped in God’s love, just like Jesus.
May we each choose to be a person that goes to God as the source of endurance and encouragement. May you know and feel that you are wrapped in God’s love, today and every single day. May that love change your perspective. May you be a person who patiently endures all things, asking God to teach you anything that you need to learn. May you have the same attitude as Jesus today.
Author’s Note
This will be the last new post on this website for now. I am sensing God’s invitation to try something different, and I don’t think that God will show me what the next steps are until I am obedient to create some space and margin in my schedule. I offer you my heartfelt gratitude for your presence here. I am honored, humbled, and grateful that anyone would read my work. I have no idea what is next. If it is appropriate to share my next steps or projects here, you will be notified of any new posts if you are subscribed. Otherwise, this website will remain active and available for anyone to go back and read any posted content. There are several ways to search or revisit the available content. For today, I leave you with the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26:
May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
How do you feel at the thought of God wrapping you up in a hug?
How could being confident in God’s love for you change your ability to endure?
In what ways do you seek endurance from any source other than God (including yourself)?
How do you need to ask God for endurance and encouragement today?
How can you display the attitude of Jesus in your life today?
Comments
Thank you for faithfully writing and directing us to God. I have found your insights helpful and motivating in my daily walk. Blessings on your new focus and may we never miss what God is trying to tell us.
I am grateful for getting to watch God use this website to move and draw people to Him. I am grateful and proud of all the work you put into these devos so far. It helped launch me into seeing the power of journaling my prayers and how God is moving in my life.