Tug-of-War

Endurance must be pushed, or it won’t grow. I will not be able to run any faster or any longer until I am pushed beyond my current capacity. I keep seeing the word endurance as a word picture of a rope. In the past, I have discussed endurance, namely patient endurance, several times. But endurance requires being pushed to one’s limits and then further still.

When a weight lifter increases endurance, then he can bear/endure a greater weight. With this picture in mind, I challenge you to consider what would happen if he never picked up a heavier weight. His muscles would not only remain the same they have always been, but the weight would not be a challenge anymore. It would simply be too easy. Increased weight builds muscular endurance.

The same is true for our spiritual life. If we never experienced hard things- would we be content living a life of mediocrity? Would we be satisfied here- stuck in this place of “not good” but “not bad”- never experiencing hard things, but never growing either.

I have come to the realization- life is a game of tug-of-war. As Christians we are challenged by really hard things and tested on whether we will be able to bend without breaking. However, God only gives us trials he knows we are ready for, in the timing he deems best. You see- God has foresight we only wish we had. But this foresight should implore us to trust him. Through it all, he is pushing us into endurance.

“We all experience times of testing which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided you a way of escape that will bring you out victoriously” (1 Corinthians 10: 13 TPT)

Simply put- endurance is the ability to experience intense pressure without breaking. Yet, endurance is built through continual and building pressure. I can confidently say; the most trying times of my life built the greatest endurance. Even though I may look back on those times and experience intense pain- there is also profound thankfulness. It is during those times- that I grew the most and experienced God’s presence the strongest.

Romans 12:12 explains this in a beautiful statement, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

This is the posture we are to take in prayer- one of hopefulness, patience, and endurance. In fact, God will bring you out of affliction when the time is right!

1 Peter 5:10 says, “ And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes he will set you firmly in place and build you up.”

He makes use stronger! When life and circumstances tear us down. He builds us up- setting us firmly on a place of solid ground. We are to be joyful in affliction.

James 1:2-4, “My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested, it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.”

In the tug of war of this life, seek joy! Ask God to give you his eyes. Seek the greater picture. Remember, there is more to the story. With each push and pull on the rope, greater endurance develops- and God grants us the power to endure all things. If only we let him take hold of the rope and bear the weight for us. In your pain- praise. In the strife- endure. Let God take you by the hand through this journey (Isaiah 41:13). And then and only then will the tug-of-war of this life be possible to bear.