What Does Endurance Look Like?

I abhor running. I have a workout shirt that reads, “If you see me running, please kill whatever is chasing me.” When I think about endurance, I think about runners. I’ve managed to eke out a 5k where my feet left the ground at just enough speed to be considered a jog for the duration of the race. Even that was just due to peer pressure for a work event. I am in awe of those who do half and full marathons.

The author of Hebrews uses the race analogy when he speaks of endurance in Hebrews 12. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (vv. 12:1-3).

Endurance can take many forms. We endure difficult family members. We endure serious illnesses. We endure the changing of diapers when our kids are little. We endure unpleasant job situations, and we endure global pandemics. Let’s explore what it really means and what it looks like to endure as followers of Christ.

The Meaning of Endurance

Merriam-Webster defines endurance as the ability to withstand hardship or adversity, especially the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity. Synonyms include patience, perseverance, and persistence.

I can think of a wide range of ways to endure something. We can endure a challenge silently and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. We can endure through complaint or venting. We’re getting through it, but not without voicing every feeling as we feel it along the way. We can put on our rose-colored glasses and endure by assuring others that everything is great and not allow anyone to see our pain.

Paul expounds on the biblical definition of endurance further in Romans: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (vv. 5:3-5 NIV).

What a beautiful picture of how endurance can occur in our lives. We begin with suffering, but if we trust—if we endure and persevere—then God will see us through the stages of perseverance, character, and ultimately, to hope. It’s an amazing promise!

How to Endure Well

Endurance relies heavily on trust in God. We’re not trusting that he will end the suffering. We’re trusting that he has a plan and that he will walk with us through the suffering. How, exactly, can we exercise trust when we’re enduring something challenging?

One of the first lines of defense is prayer. The more focus we place on laying down our burdens at the feet of Jesus, the more our minds and hearts will be turned toward him during a trial. His Word is also a source of rich truth that can center our minds on his sovereignty. As Proverbs reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (vv. 3:5-6 NIV).

If we know from Paul that endurance produces character, then what does that look like? I believe it looks like humble honesty. We don’t need to share our endurance with our entire community, but finding a few close, godly friends with whom we can be honest will help God build character within us. We can be honest about where we’re having doubts, and we can tell our small circle how we’re working to trust God more.

Enduring a Pandemic

I believe it’s safe to say that when the U.S. closed down in mid-March of 2020, very few of us believed we would still be in the middle of the pandemic in April of 2021. We have all endured these thirteen months in various ways, and I’m the first to admit I haven’t always endured it in a godly way.

When I am enduring well, I’m focused on loving others well versus thinking about myself. How can I be caring for those who have lost work? Can I tip more for my takeout to help the restaurant industry, which has taken a significant beating? Can I wear my mask without complaint to comply with local rules and protect my community? Can I find creative ways to show love differently than I might have otherwise prior to the pandemic?

We’ve all had moments when we’ve just felt over the whole thing. My kids haven’t been in a school building since March of 2020. I think, when those moments happen, we can be honest. I had a coworker ask me how I was the other day, and I responded honestly, “I’m doing okay.” He probed more, and I shared that we were fine overall, but that I was just in a place where I was really sick of the whole thing. He agreed and seemed encouraged by my honesty, even though I was being a bit of a downer.

There’s a fine line between being honest and real with others and becoming constant complainers. If we fix our eyes on Jesus as Hebrews asks, we will rarely fall on the wrong side of that line. As hard as it is to admit, suffering is good for us. The Bible tells us so repeatedly. That doesn’t mean we will like it, but we do have instruction and tools to help us run our races well. I will be walking mine quickly!

Amy Wiebe is a Jesus follower, wife, mom of three, finance director and lover of sarcasm and deep conversations with friends. She also loves camping, rafting, skiing, sewing, and hosting others in her home.

Photograph © Heather Ford, used with permission