Today’s Reflection
Cultivating the underrated Christian virtue of endurance, one of God’s blessings to us if we develop the discipline to maintain it, is a cardinal requirement in making this move from pain and despair to hope and healing. But God has lovingly provided us with the tools, skills, disciplines, practices, and supportive people and communities that can help to reshape the story of our lives with a blessed assurance that blessed endurance will lead to the more abundant life God wants for us.
—John R. Wimmer, Blessed Endurance: Moving Beyond Despair to Hope (Upper Room Books, 2018)
Today’s Question
How can cultivating the virtue of endurance lead you toward abundant life? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
[Jesus said,] “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
—John 10:10 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Healing God, when we feel alone, hurt, or misunderstood, assure us of your presence and companionship as you guide us toward a more abundant life. Amen. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
“Hymns embed faith into the marrow of the soul,” Rev. Dr. James C. Howell writes in Unrevealed Until Its Season: A Lenten Journey with Hymns. Howell believes in the power of song to teach spiritual truths. His newest book takes us on a 40-day journey through well-loved hymns. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
I’m not sure I understand this idea fully.. Yes, we must endure, keep going, strive to improve. Enduring the challenges we face knowing that God is with us always is something we do from the time we become a believer. God enables us to endure, without God endurance is not possible. I welcome the thoughts of the NEM family.
Temps not quite as low, some snow flurries expected, high 27,
Preparing for Proverbs Bible study tomorrow and a message on Sunday,
I need to review NEM to better pray for you,
I have certainly needed endurance to withstand all that is going on in my life these past years and especially the past several weeks. Oh how I have longed for a respite and relief, but one crisis after another gets added to the pile. Without God I would have crumbled.
Prayers for Ally as she deals with a bad tooth. Prayers for Jill’s friend and her daughter and their respective issues. Prayers forr Robert as he prepares this Sunday’s message for his church.
I am still in pain. We got a lot of snow yesterday and it is still bitterly cold. The snow continues today and tomorrow and then subzero temperatures will arrive.
Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.
We often hear a couple of platitudes: “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” and “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle”. Tough times require endurance sometimes not to crash and burn. We do get more than we can handle and God gives us the grace to endure. Sometimes we have to run and sometimes we wait. Both require endurance. Lord, when despair comes calling, help me to endure.
My tooth is much better, due to antibiotics. I’ll see a dentist when I can. David is doing well. Still waiting to hear about my disability. Please pray for our finances.
I have a big praise: my cousin Susan, who had triple bypass A couple days after Christmas, had complications and was on a vent for 15 days. Things did not look good. She is home and doing pretty well. Praise the Lord.
Robert, prayers as you prepare your message and study. Julie, I pray you receive relief from your pain. Praying also for you to have real of your burdens. Both of you stay warm. Prayers for all who visit NEM and Mau that receive a blessing. Thank you for your prayers. Love to all.
Endurance can lead to a life of abundance. For in forbearance and endurance – we are able to see past our circumstances and sense/experience His grace – which is sufficient. We will recognize the abundance of blessings we have in Him, when we set our gaze to the future and not on present circumstances. Momentary suffering, in light of eternity with Him. Father, when we falter, surround us with some of the great cloud of witnesses – that we will desire to be found faithful as well.
A very productive day at school – got much accomplished this morning, as there was little treasurer work. I have a doctor’s appointment after work and then home. My god daughter is back playing, and will watch her game this evening livestreamed. Hoping she gets some playing time. A rather busy week ahead…grateful to be in pretty good shape school work wise.
Good to hear from you Ally, hoping this tooth issue is behind you soon.
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