“But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 24:13 AMP
A friend shared a video on Facebook this week of a coach telling her basketball team that things don’t get easier the older we get or when circumstances change – we just get better at handling the hard. It’s so vert true! Suffering is one of the most common experiences among humans.
While this verse is a part of a passage discussing end times, the principle of enduring applies to all areas of life.
The Greek word for endure is hypomenō: to persevere: absolutely and emphatically, under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ. Said a different way, it means to hold onto an unrelenting conviction of what is right and true no matter what.
Digging a little deeper, the Greek word for “end” is télos, the end of time or to set out for a definite point or goal; and the word for “saved” is sṓzō, meaning to deliver or protect literally or figuratively – to heal, preserve, save self, to do well, to be make whole.
Just as weight lifting and exercise strengthens our physical bodies, suffering in life strengths our spiritual bodies. Suffering is like fertilizer to our spiritual man, bringing forth the fruits of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control. Suffering removes the blinders from my eyes, forcing me to see beyond myself to my fellow man. Suffering stretches our faith muscles, expanding our capacity for His presence. Suffering teaches us grace and grit. Suffering shapes us into His image.
No one likes to suffer. But just like we need to exercise and eat healthy in order to take care of our physical bodies, we need a steady diet of suffering in our spiritual lives in order to awaken our spirits to His presence. Suffering is simply a training ground – not something to fear or shirk. It’s the way to wholeness. It’s the way to grace.
Father – thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for Your sustaining power. Help me to honor You in both times of suffering and times of blessing. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Matthew 24
November 7, 2022