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Release or Endurance

I asked a question from our sermon on Sunday — When times are tough, do you pray for release or endurance?

I guess I pray for both.  It’s certainly not wrong to pray for release, but God does not promise release from all circumstances.  He does, however, promise to give us endurance to bear the tough times if we seek him.

So as we pray through the storms of life, we may express our heart’s desire, which often is to be released from our source of pain.  But we should always pray for endurance.  After all, it is through the hard times that God does His best work in us.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t quite gotten there yet — to where I consider my trials pure joy.  But I can appreciate what I’ve learned from them.  And I do trust God to see me through, no matter what.

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12 Responses

  1. I usually consider my trials to be a pure joy AFTER I’m done and safely on the other side of the storm. I had cardiomyopathy/congestive heart failure after DD was born. I was so sick and so tired all of the time from the crumpy heart that I spent hours just sitting around holding her. I knew none of the angst a lot of new moms feel trying to “do it all.” I simply couldn’t and I gave up on it. Now I can look back and see the pure joy in that situation 🙂

  2. When you posted that question, my answer was both. I definitely would not choose the trials, but I pray for grace to endure them with my eyes fixed on God. Sometimes my attention wavers though.

  3. Wow, what an awesome post. Very thought provoking and through the last year I have seen myself grow from asking for release to asking for endurance. And wow what God does when he gives you the grace to get through the bad stuff in life. It seems so hard as your are going through it, but on the other side of it you end up growing so much closer to Him. Thanks for reminding me of yet another thing to be thankful for!

  4. Amen, sista! Both for sure.

    I agree that the trials make me grow more in my faith. He continues to prepare me for what this life sometimes brings.

    Great reminder today.

  5. both for sure!!
    I have found that each “trial” has prepared me for the next one, and when a huge one comes along I am amazed at how God has grown my faith!

  6. I’m not sure I can say that yet either….but I am so glad that my trust lies in a God who is 1000% love and grace, and I can totally rest in Him during the storms that are sure to come my way! Thanks for sharing…

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