Becoming “Endurers”

Why do some people seem to simply breeze through life? They seem to never suffer at all. Everything they touch prospers and they always look happy, as if they have no problems in the world.

You might question how that could possibly be. Indeed, as you look at such Christians, you may wonder, “What’s wrong with me? Why have I had to endure one difficulty after another since I gave my all to Jesus? When I was cold and lukewarm in faith, everything was okay. I didn’t know such hardships existed until I got serious with God.”

Your answer is contained in this verse: “After you were illuminated” (Hebrews 10:32), meaning, “After you saw the light.” So it was after you opened your life to Jesus and were flooded with His light that your great fight of afflictions began.

Satan attacks us according to the measure of light we receive and walk in. Those who walk in a little ray of light are no threat to the devil’s kingdom. He aims his “great struggle with sufferings” at those who love the light with a whole heart, who embrace all that Christ has for them (see Hebrews 10:32).

Such saints have no part in darkness. They have laid hold of a faith that has made them “endurers,” soldiers who do not draw back but walk in the full assurance of faith!

“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).