Endurance Is Necessary
“Trouble is inevitable. Endurance is necessary. Our high call from God is to trust Him and to trust His heart, a heart filled with love. Nothing can happen to us or in us that He cannot work together for our good.”
Dr. Larry Crabb, When God’s Ways Make No Sense, Chapter 11, “The High Calling to Trust,” pg 144-145
Questions for Reflection:
•Do you value endurance as a character trait that God seeks to grow within you because of His love for you?
•How does Scripture link a vision of promised joy with the strength to endure hardship now?
•Take a moment today to offer to God the most painful challenge you are facing, trusting that even it is not something too hard for Him to work together for your ultimate good.
Larry Crabb's NewWay Ministries Blog 
In Colossians 1:11, Paul says that he and Timothy have been praying that his readers will be “strengthened with all power according to [God’s] glorious might so that . . .” I want Paul to say, “so that you can perform miracles, move mountains, and do awe-inspiring deeds in his name.” That’s the kind of power I want to experience. But instead Paul says he prays for this enormous power “so that you may have great endurance and patience.” At first glance, I don’t like this kind of power. I want the power that generates a sweet life, not just the ability to tolerate a bitter one. And yet there is deep comfort in knowing that God will use “all power according to his glorious might” (that’s a lot of power!) for something as simple but difficult as developing endurance and patience.
Do I value endurance as a character trait? When I’m in trouble, yes, because now it has practical value for me. When I’m thinking about the character traits I want the most, no. But I’m learning.
Adapted from my blog: ThoseWhoWeep.blogspot.com. Post title: Power in Weakness (9/21/18)