Endurance---to endure, to suffer patiently, to tolerate.
We are told to endure hardship as a good soldier!

• In 2 Tim. 1-3 (amplified) So you, my son, be strong strengthened inwardly in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is (to be found only) in Christ Jesus.
• 2. and the (instructions) which you have heard from me, along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust (as a deposit) to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also.
• 3. Take (with me) your share of the hardships and suffering (which you are called to endure) as a good (first class) soldier of Christ Jesus.

Paul, who was writing from prison, tells Timothy "be strong, be strengthened inwardly in grace that is in Christ Jesus!" Not be strong in your own strength. Strong in the strength of Jesus! For us to endure we cannot rely on our own strength. We must rely on the Lord for our strength. We must rely on the Lord to get us through the pressures of life. In the days that we live in, and even more so in these days than in any time in history, we have so many things to endure! We have so many challenges to our faith.

Many times things happen to us and we blame God! We need to realize that we are in a hostile environment and that the thief (Jn. 10:10) comes to steal, kill and destroy! In the very same breath the Lord Jesus said "I came to give you life and life more abundantly!" We will go through things in this life just because we live in this life! The difference for us as Christians is that Jesus overcame in this life and he left us the ability to overcome. He has given us all the tools we need to overcome the hardships in this life. Through Jesus we have become more than conquerors! Endure as a first class soldier. A first class soldier knows how to endure and to finish the fight. Not only finish, but win!

The way to begin the fight and win is to make sure that your relationship with the Lord is right. The Bible tells us we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory that is in Christ Jesus! We all need him! Romans 10:9, 10 says Believe in your heart the Lord Jesus and confess him with your mouth. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation!

Pray this prayer: Dear God, Please forgive me of my sin. I believe that Jesus died for my sin on the cross, I believe that the blood He shed on Calvary was for the forgiveness of my sin. I believe that He was buried and on the third day He arose from the dead. I ask you Jesus be Lord of my life. Father thank you for the perfect sacrifice. Help me to live for you in Jesus name amen!