“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised”

Hebrew 10:35, 36 NLT

We are blessed to see a new year full of new possibilities, the year of 2022. Sadly, some of our friends and loved ones did not make it to this point. 2021 was a tough year. Although last year had its share of sorrows and disappointments, we must thank God that we triumph in Christ. We are here for a specific purpose, and God is not through with us yet. However, because of all we have been up against, many of us are on the verge of becoming weary.

Do these words resonate with you? If so, you need to have a plan in place to help you not only survive but thrive in this season.

Towards the end of last year, while seeking the Lord for direction and instruction for 2022, including a word to ground me on my journey, the Holy Spirit dropped the word Endurance into my heart. The reason is clear: Endurance is a necessary substance for individuals who desire to complete the race that is set before them, to cross the finish line, and to receive the rewards God has promised them.

In the world of sports, endurance refers to the inner strength athletes possess and rely on to help them perform at their maximum ability, in hopes of being victorious. In comparison, endurance for many of us is simply having the strength to withstand the tests and trials of life.

According to Vines Expository Dictionary, the word endurance in New Testament Greek refers to “abiding under, bearing up courageously” (under suffering), and “patiently waiting.” This offers us a sense of what is required to live a successful Christian life. In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3. The same endurance which was needed in days of old is still much needed today.

Below I offer keys to help you persevere through life’s difficulties. I hope you will be encouraged by these practical tips and strengthened by the word of God. Read and meditate on the scriptures I have included to empower you to go the distance and beyond in 2022.

Six Keys for Endurance

Travel lite. Rid yourself of heavy weights, burdens, hinderances, and unconfessed sins. It starts by having an awareness of these issues, and by repenting of sin to be in right standing with God which will open your heart to receive His will and direction, allowing you to move freely on your course. Because no one runs a race carrying heavy loads on their back and expecting to succeed. Consequently, the individual would succumb to the pressure. Therefore, taking time for introspection and clearing your heart is vital. God will give you the grace for the pace He has set for you this year.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Circumstances are distractions which are designed to keep us from getting to our desired destiny. So, we must shift our focus away from what our eyes can see, and what our emotions feel, and look towards heaven where God sits on the throne with Jesus at His right hand. He is our great example. Additionally, the Bible is filled with God’s promises for every situation we encounter in life. Therefore, we must focus and meditate on scriptures to ground us throughout the year.
Have a vision for the future. We cannot change the past. It is unfruitful to look back and grieve over the way things used to be. We can set our focus towards the future because our real life, our best life, is still ahead of us. The author of Hebrews wrote, “For the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). Although, Jesus died a painful death, He had something greater in mind – you and me. Do you have foresight for something better and more wonderful for your life? If you struggle to answer, simply pray and ask God for a fresh vision of what He has planned for your life.
Ease into your purpose. As long as there is breath in our body, we must be about the Father’s business, and strive towards the fulfillment of our calling (in every vocation, not just ministry). Who has God called you to be? What has God given you to do? The answers to these questions will give you a reason to press on. A purposeful life is a life full of hope and contentment. We cannot afford to stop until we know without doubt that we have accomplished all we were destined to achieve here on earth. A few months prior to the pandemic God gave me clear direction to take a step in a new direction which would lead me further into the fulfillment of my life’s purpose. I share this because knowing and obeying has kept me grounded on the right path with the assurance of being in the will of God despite how life may appear.
Take life one day at a time. There are times when life feels overwhelming, especially if we look too far ahead and try to figure out every step of our journey. If we knew all the details we would not have to walk by faith. God does not reveal every aspect of His plan, because He wants us to have faith, and trust Him for the outcome. God provides for our needs one day at a time.
Be thankful. Having a grateful heart opens the door for God to perform miracles and disburse unexpected blessings. Despite life’s difficulties, there is always a reason to shout “hallelujah” and thank God for His goodness and faithfulness. Whenever I catch myself starting to complain I stop to consider what God has already done. Remembrance has a way of getting me back on the right track. Being thankful is the will of God for our lives.

Scriptures to Illuminate your Path in 2022

“By your endurance you will save your life.” Luke 21:19 GW

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, .let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1, 2

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of underserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” Romans 5:3-5

“Dear brothers and sisters when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 5:12

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35, 36

Thank you for taking time to read this post. Please be sure to leave a comment. I’m always blessed to hear from you.

Grace and Peace,

Kathy

Note: All scriptures are taken from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Photo by Mārtiņš Zemlickis on Unsplash.