Endurance in Hardships

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:11–12 ESV

being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

The goal of Paul’s prayer: endurance and patience

Endurance - can also be seen as steadfastness - but there is a part of of this that connotes resistance - endurance in the face of opposition.

Patience - also seen as longsuffering - or forbearance - this is “a state or calm in the face of provocation or misfortune without complaint or irritation?

how difficult is it to endure or show patience without being irritated?

The fuel source for Paul’s prayer: power according to God’s glorious might

The accompaniments to endurance and patience:

joy

James 1:2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”

How can believers have joy in the midst of trials?

the recognition that these trials that we get to endure are producing in us something that which God desires.

How can our perspectives change so that we can be joyful?

thanksgiving

1 Thes. 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The reward: inheritance

It seems like this inheritance, which is something that all believers are partakers of, provides the eternal perspective in the face of temporary trials. The suffering we may endure here is “momentary and light” when compared to our inheritance in Christ.