The Gift of Endurance: The Prize of an Imperishable Crown
The gift of endurance is a pretty broad topic. What does God’s Word say about this powerful gift?
Endurance can conjure up many thoughts, mostly pertaining to a race, and certainly a reflection of strength that remains even after you are tired and worn out. Images of one running a race, not a sprint, gives us a physical description of the Godly Strength of endurance.
In a Believer’s walk, we often get a prompting from the Holy Spirit to step out in faith. This step starts out as a leap at times… as we are excited about what God has in store for us. We are hot out of the gates.
What happens when we start to lose the momentum and drive? Have you ever felt this way?
We can start to lose heart when our steps encounter an unexpected speed bump. The enemy wants us to get discouraged and give up, knowing that if we fall into the lie of discouragement, it will multiply in our own minds, bringing us down.
For this reason, Paul writes…
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”—1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The devil craves our distraction from the imperishable crown. He wants us to become so consumed with what is going wrong that it refocuses our attention from our first love of Christ and serving Him, to concentrating on how we do not have control, as we should.
God never said that we would have control. In fact, He says to trust Him because He is in control.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”—Matthew 6:33
When we step out in faith, fixing our eyes on the prize of Jesus, we will have strength and endurance to fight the good fight of faith. Speed bumps during our race will most certainly arise. Use these times to refocus, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength to endure, and bring our focus back to the crown of salvation. With total focus on God, He will provide the energy and stamina to run the endurance race.
We want to encourage in prayer today for a continued and renewed gift of endurance. Please call us at 888-932-7850 to be encouraged with Christ’s perfect endurance.