Question 1

Why should I keep trying when I feel like quitting?

Accepted Answer

1 Timothy 6:11You, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.2 Timothy 2:3Endure suffering along with me [Paul], as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.Suffering doesn’t mean that we are doing something wrong. In fact, it often means that we are doing something right, and Satan is doing all he can to discourage us from it. That means he’s afraid—and that is good.John 16:33“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”Revelation 13:10Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.Almost all Christians are persecuted for their faith at some point along life’s journey. In many countries, Christians suffer torture and death for following Christ. This is no surprise. Jesus promised that we would endure trials and sorrows and even worse because we are his followers. He also promised, however, that he will win in the end and share that victory with us. Endurance through suffering and ridicule is another step in our journey to eternal life, and those who endure have a special place in God’s heart.Mark 13:13Everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.Luke 9:62Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”2 Timothy 2:11-13This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.Hebrews 3:6Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.Endurance is one sign that our faith is real and growing. It reveals that we have set our hearts on Christ rather than the world’s fleeting pleasures and false promises.

Question 2

Where do I find the strength to keep going when I’m tempted to give up?

Accepted Answer

Galatians 6:9Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.Endurance comes from keeping our thoughts on God’s promises for the future, not the problems of the moment.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.Philippians 2:12-13Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.We cannot endure through our strength alone. God is at work in our lives. He gives us the strength to keep going when we are exhausted and the faith to keep believing when we are discouraged. We need to keep seeking to love him and know him more.

Question 3

In what areas of my life should I develop endurance?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 11:1“You must love the Lord your God and always obey his requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands.”Joshua 1:7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.John 13:15“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”We should develop our endurance in obeying God by doing what we know he is telling us to do, despite our feelings or opposition. Sometimes, others pressure us to disobey; other times, Satan prompts us to doubt God’s wisdom; sometimes, we simply don’t feel like obeying. When those temptations come, we must remind ourselves of why we obey—because of our love for God and his love for us.Joshua 23:8“Cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now.”Psalm 57:7My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!Psalm 119:147-148I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.Ezekiel 18:24“If righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.”We should build endurance in seeking God’s will and direction every day. This means making him our top priority. Walking with God daily is a sign of a living and lasting faith.Psalm 123:3-4Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy, for we have had our fill of contempt. We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the contempt of the arrogant.1 Corinthians 4:12We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.We should develop our endurance in dealing with difficult people. As we respond to people who make life hard for us, we should seek to endure those relationships with patience, grace, and kindness. This is the only way to win people over—by patiently pouring out the love of Christ.Acts 14:22They strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.2 Thessalonians 1:4We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.2 Timothy 3:10-11You, Timothy, certainly know what I [Paul] teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.1 Peter 1:6-7Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.Revelation 2:3You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.We should develop endurance in dealing with difficult circumstances. A life of faith will often bring persecution, hardship, and unique problems. Endurance through such times will be rewarded in eternity.2 Chronicles 15:7“As for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”Galatians 6:9Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.1 Thessalonians 1:3As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.We should develop endurance in doing what is right and good. This means persevering in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Being joyful isn’t easy when others are bitter, peaceful when we have much to fear, or self-controlled in frequent frustrations. But these are small moments of faithfulness where Christ’s light shines through to the world. In God’s Kingdom, they will be rewarded.

Question 4

How do I develop endurance?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 6:13-17Put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.We can develop endurance by using God’s resources. God has equipped us with a wide variety of spiritual armor and weapons that can help us endure attacks from the enemy. Just as a soldier trains in weapons and armor, so we can prepare for spiritual battles through practicing with these gifts from God.Hebrews 12:1-3Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.We can develop endurance by being persistent about getting rid of sin that drags us down and keeping focused on our Savior Jesus and what he did for us. We have the example of Jesus to follow as our model for endurance. The next time we are tempted to give up, we need to remember what Jesus endured for us.Romans 5:3We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.James 1:2-4Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.We can develop endurance by rejoicing and celebrating when we make it through adversity or tests of faith, knowing that God is using those situations and circumstances to strengthen us.Habakkuk 2:3“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”1 Thessalonians 1:3As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.We can develop endurance by maintaining an eternal perspective, seeing life from God’s point of view. This means remembering that in this life we will face many problems, but in the life to come they will all be overcome and gone forever. This hope gives us endurance to go on.Habakkuk 3:19The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.Romans 15:5May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.2 Corinthians 1:8-9We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.Colossians 1:10-11Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy.2 Thessalonians 3:5May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.We can develop endurance by remembering that our endurance originates with God. He is our source of the power and perseverance we need to endure.

Question 5

What are the benefits of endurance?

Accepted Answer

James 5:11We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.1 Peter 2:19God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.Revelation 2:2, 19“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. . . . I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.Job was a man who endured with faith having all his wealth, almost all his family, and his health taken from him. Eventually, God restored everything back to him. When we face pain, suffering, and injustice, we will find that God is faithful. And our endurance pleases God because it honors him and his plan for us.Matthew 24:13The one who endures to the end will be saved.Romans 2:7He [God] will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.1 Timothy 4:16Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.2 Timothy 2:10-13I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.2 Timothy 4:5-8You should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.Hebrews 3:14If we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.Hebrews 10:36Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.James 1:12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.1 Peter 4:13Be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.Endurance makes us partners with Christ in his suffering and in his glory. When we endure suffering for the sake of God’s will, then we are promised salvation and reward.Romans 5:3-4We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.James 1:2-4Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.1 Peter 1:7These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.2 Peter 1:5-7Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.Endurance in our faith produces all kinds of godly character traits. Endurance is like the fire that purifies precious metals and hardens valuable pottery. It cleanses, clarifies, and solidifies our faith. Living through the trials and tests of life uncovers the riches of our faith and develops godly character.2 Corinthians 1:6Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.1 Peter 5:9Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.Revelation 1:9I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.Endurance encourages others to follow our example.

Question 6

If I already believe in Jesus, why do I have to endure?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 24:13The one who endures to the end will be saved.Romans 2:7He [God] will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.2 Timothy 2:10-13I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.Hebrews 3:14If we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.Hebrews 10:36Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.James 1:12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.1 Peter 4:13Be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.Endurance is an essential quality of Jesus’ followers. Thus, our endurance reveals our genuine love and commitment to Christ as Lord of our lives. Though we have the promise of eternal life, we also live in a fallen world, which is out to compromise and destroy our faith. God promises that those who endure in their faith will not only survive but reign with Christ forever!1 Peter 2:20You get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.God sees the injustices that we suffer. Just as he was pleased with Jesus’ submission to the Cross, he is pleased when we put his glory above all else.

Question 7

How does God model endurance for me in his character?

Accepted Answer

Daniel 6:26“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.”Hebrews 12:27-28All of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.God models endurance for us through his eternal kingdom, which will endure forever.1 Chronicles 16:34Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.2 Chronicles 5:13The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.2 Chronicles 7:3When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the Lord filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!”Psalm 89:33“I [the Lord] will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him.”Psalm 100:5For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.Psalm 103:17-18The love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!Psalm 136:1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.God models endurance for us through his love and faithfulness. God never gives up on us or abandons us. His love for us is persistent and tenacious.Psalm 111:3Everything he [the Lord] does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.God models endurance for us through his righteousness. God’s righteousness is everlasting. He has never sinned and never will.Luke 1:50He [the Mighty One] shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.God models endurance for us through his mercy, which goes on and on, even when we don’t deserve it.Psalm 119:89Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven.Luke 21:33Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.1 Peter 1:23You have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.God models endurance for us through his Word. God has promised that his Word will never be destroyed from the face of the earth and that it will exist throughout eternity.Philippians 1:6I [Paul] am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.God models endurance for us through his work in our lives. He never gives up on us and is always proactively working to bring us to perfection.Hebrews 12:2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.God models endurance for us through his Son, Jesus, who has conquered death and proven that all who believe in him will have eternal life and endure forever.