The Long Haul

The Long Haul

To endure the cross is not tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My fondness for you is great. I’ve watched the way you’ve turned “gritting-your-teeth” endurance into “glory-strength” staying power. You’ve discovered the secret to hanging on to hope for the long haul—spending time in My Word. Like the psalmist, you can say, “You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me” (Psalm 119:114, MSG). The more you meditate on My truth, the more you understand that your setbacks are only temporary and your reward will last for all eternity.

No longer do you waver in your faith, allowing your circumstances and your feelings to dictate how much you trust Me. You’re developing the kind of endurance that finds stability when life seems to be falling apart. As you face obstacles, your well-developed confidence in Me triggers a sense of expectation that I will use these momentary setbacks as springboards for growth. The maturity of your faith brings Me delight.

We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

Colossians 1:11-12, MSG