Best Practices Part 7 – Practice of Enduring

Best Practices

Part 7 – The Practice of Enduring

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

We persevere by on Jesus!

…And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1b-2a

Sometimes we take our eyes off Jesus and fixate on…

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We develop as we endure hardships!

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-3

The aim of testing is not to destroy or afflict, but to and .

Perseverance transcends the idea of bearing affliction; it includes the idea of standing fast under pressure, with a staying power that turns into .

3 Benefits of Enduring Hardships In Life

1) God uses pain and hardship for the purpose of developing !

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

2) God uses pain and hardship for the purpose of developing .

Abraham is Tested – Genesis 22:1-18

Some time later God tested Abraham. Genesis 22:1a.

“A test is a difficult experience through which a person’s true values, commitments and beliefs are revealed.” — John Ortberg

11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:11-14

When in doubt, trust God to !

3) God uses pain and hardship for the purpose of developing .

Jesus Calms the Storm – Mark 4:35-41

37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Mark 4:37

38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Mark 4:38

Jesus has the to calm the in your life!

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

Jesus calls us to be filled not with , but with !

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:40