Suffering is a universal human experience that touches every life in some way. It is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that can be physical, emotional, or psychological.
Recently, I was challenged to encourage a mother who suffered from the reality of her daughter applying for assisted suicide. While her despair was understandable, the Lord gave me a message for her that I would like to share with you. This message rocked both our worlds.
PHINNEY
JOY IS BIRTHED THROUGH ENDURANCE
Suffering is a universal human experience that touches every life in some way. It is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that can be physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual. While it is an unfortunate aspect of existence, it is also a powerful catalyst for growth, change, and empathy in Christ.
People who suffer often develop a deep understanding of the fragility of the human condition, cultivating empathy and compassion for others who are in pain. They learn resilience, discovering an inner strength that they may not have known they possessed. They find meaning and purpose in their experiences, using their pain as a springboard for personal growth and transformation. Although, when that suffering turns into suicidal ideations, a lack of endurance rules the day.
However, it’s important to remember that no one should have to suffer alone. When suffering partners with loneliness, a defeat can plague the mind. Many times, causing doubts about the existence of God, minimally doubting His loving care for humanity.
Compassion, understanding, and support from fellow Body members of Christ can make a significant difference in the lives of those who are suffering. As a church society, it’s our responsibility to extend a helping hand to those in need, offering comfort, support, assistance, and Christ-centered growth properties in their times of hardship or sinking despair.
In the end, suffering is not just about enduring pain but about embracing it, growing, and transforming from the experience into the Life experience of Christ within all believers. And if not indwelt, it is about leading them to the man OF endurance - Jesus. It’s about finding the strength that Jesus provides within us to rise above our circumstances and emerge stronger, wiser, compassionate, and secure in the methodology of releasing Life from within. As the saying goes, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”
You’ve heard the adage, “That will leave a mark.” Pain and suffering scars the human soul. Whatever caused the hardship is never forgotten on this side of Heaven. Since that is the case, my focus is to teach the one in pain to embrace it as a best friend.
Suffering has a long history within the walls of humanity. However, endurance has a richer history that dates back to eternity. Contained within this reality, we MUST focus our minds on the Lord’s perspective of hardships. That journey starts with endurance.
When Jesus said, "The one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matt. 10:22)." I took that statement seriously. It compels me to reach lost hearts, mentally or unsaved, with the importance of endurance.
Endurance is a fundamental aspect of the Life of Christ from within that holds immense importance. It is the ability to withstand hardships, adversities, and stress and to keep going when things get tough by releasing the Holy Spirit. Endurance is not just about physical stamina, mental focus, but rather about the joy of the Lord, which proves authentic salvation. This is the "why" Jesus most likely made the statement in Matthew 10:22. It's about the resilience of sustaining the indwelling Life in the face of challenges.
Endurance teaches us patience, discipline, and perseverance. If perseverance does not manifest, it acts as a tutor to test one's salvation – as Biblical Paul stated. It helps us understand that success in Christ is not always immediate and often requires a consistent effort of releasing Jesus and determination over time. It reminds us that the path to achieving the will of God the Father may be long and arduous, but every step we take brings us closer to His Divine will.
Moreover, endurance builds character. It shapes us into stronger, more resilient individuals capable of overcoming obstacles and achieving the Lord's objectives through the core of our human minds. It instills in us a sense of hope and optimism, reinforcing the belief that no matter how tough things get, we have the strength to endure and ultimately prevail.
So, let's embrace the Lord's view of endurance. Let's welcome the challenges that come our way, for they are growth opportunities. Let's remember that the journey is just as important as the destination and that endurance is not just about surviving but thriving. After all, this IS the message God is teaching all of us.
JOY IS A RESULT
Indwelling Christian joy is a state of mind and heart that is rooted in the indwelling Life of Christ. It is not dependent on external circumstances but on the internal reality of God’s presence and power within us. Christian joy is a fruit of the Spirit that manifests as a deep sense of peace, contentment, gratitude, and hope in the midst of suffering and trials. Christian joy is a gift from God that enables us to endure hardships with courage and confidence, knowing that He is working all things for our good and His glory. Christian joy is a witness to the world that we have a living and loving Savior who can transform our pain into purpose and our sorrow into strength.
Now, the meat of the Gospel! Joy is not a human expression. That would be happiness. Joy is a manifestation, fruit, of the Holy Spirit. There is not one human on this earth who can express authentic joy without housing the Holy Spirit from within. That requires a “born-again” experience. As soon as the individual is indwelt by Jesus, joy is readily available. Outside of that, the best humans can muster up is happiness. While happiness appears to be joy, it is not. It is temperamental, temporary, and must be replenished daily. This is why humanity has “good” and not-so-good days or moments.
When an authentic believer has proven joy, you will always find a Christian radiant with endurance. While these real-deal believers suffer temptations of losing their perspective of “Not I, but Christ,” they typically refocus quickly after being knocked down by the accuser of the brethren.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false." (Revelation 2:2)
Christ, as the omniscient God, knows all the works of His people, the self-life workers, AND those who release the works of Christ from within. It is only authentic believers who can obey Him, and release eternal love to & from Him, while performing His strength and joy by His grace. This is when He takes notice of, approves of, and is well pleased with, not as the ground of His delight in their persons, but proof of the fruit of the Holy Spirit that resides in them. This is likely the logic behind Jesus’s statement - The one who endures to the end will be saved (Matt. 10:22).
IN CONCLUSION:
Endurance and joy are two concepts that are twin sisters in the Christ-as-Life Christian worldview. Endurance is the ability to persevere through hardships and trials, trusting in God’s power and promises from within. Joy is the deep and lasting satisfaction that comes from knowing and serving the Holy Spirit from within, regardless of the circumstances.
Endurance and joy are gifts from God that enable us to live victoriously in Christ. They are not dependent on our external situations but on our internal relationship with Jesus personally. They are not based on our feelings but on our faith. They are not temporary, but eternal. They are not earned but given. They are not optional but essential. Endurance and joy are the marks of a true believer who has been transformed by the indwelling Life of Christ. They are the fruits of the Spirit that testify to the world of God’s Love, Grace, and Glory. Endurance and joy are the keys to unlocking the prison door of hopelessness - while experiencing the abundant Life that Jesus promised.
Are you authentically indwelt by Jesus? Review the details on authentic born-again believers. This document also contains a salvation prayer. HERE.
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