Endurance

I sometimes have “endurance issues”. I get to the place that I feel like I can’t go on. I recently heard a great podcast from Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership by Mel Robbins called: “5 Seconds to a Better Life & Business”. Mel talks about denying my feelings the leadership in my life. I have a to make decisions with my brain and keep my feelings in check.  When I’m riding my bike on the Carrollton Greenbelt and I reach a formidable hill, I must push through the burn to make it up the hill. The think is, each time I push through and endure, I’m getting stronger.

The Apostle Paul gives some final instructions to the church at Thessalonica about staying strong and enduring. Check this out…

³ But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

¹³ But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5,13 CSB)

I often need encouragement to endure. I love having someone spur me on the push through the “quitting points” aka, the pain and endure to the end. If endurance were easy, everyone would endure, but as it is, there are fewer and fewer who stay strong and tough when things get hard. Quitting is easy, endurance is hard.

I am learning that quitting comes often when I listen to my feelings. My feelings are so fickle and selfish. I must use the power of my will and my mind to decide what I’m going to do and how I’m going to face struggles and keep my feelings on the sidelines. I don’t ever “feel” like getting out of bed early in the morning. I don’t “feel” like doing hard work, but I must. I haven’t met many people who “feel” like dieting, but we must control our appetites.

The Lord is faithful and present when I’m pushing hard to endure. He uses tough times and hard experiences to build me. Making good choices is hard work but He is a lot of help. I choose endurance over laziness. I choose to veto my feelings and endure.

Pressing On!

Dwayne