Why must I endure this?

Our ability to hear Gods voice and to obey it cannot be measured by our success;
rather it must be measured by our willingness to endure difficulties, challenges and
trials that regularly surround us. In Gods Kingdom and Heavenly economy, the
more challenged we are by the circumstances we are involved in, the more we are
pressed to lean upon God to make it through. Many times we give too much credit
to the enemy as we face the trials that are before us. As we mature we should see
these pressures, which often overwhelm us, as a grace-filled reminder how very
close our Heavenly Father truly is. It is His desire for us to daily draw nearer to
Him. He not only allows these trials in our lives, but also brings them to us. (See
Joel 2:25.)

Every one of us is called to minister to people. These people are hurting, messed up,
hung up, and bound up and we need to understand how to comfort them with the
We 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. And he
did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will
rescue us again. We have placed our
confidence in him, and he will continue to
rescue us. Corinthians 1:8-10 (NLTSE)


love of Jesus. We will be challenged at the same or greater level as the people we
are called to minister to. This is to give us the tools needed to comfort others as He
comforts us in our afflictions.

For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even
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. 2 Corinthians 1:5, 6 (NLTSE)

You can take a look around you at the people God has placed you in the midst of
and meter the level of challenges you will have to face in order for comfort and
salvation to be brought to them. If you are a Christian brother or sister in the midst
of trying circumstances, continue to endure because God is very near to you and He
wants to draw you nearer to Himself. The worldly view will try to tell you that if
you are mature in Christ and obedient you will not have to endure suffering, but
this is a lie. We know that Jesus Christ was sinless and was wholly obedient to
God, yet endured much suffering and hardship. I encourage those of you that are
enduring hardship, to endure, endure, and endure! Also surround yourself with the
support and prayer of others, because this will help us make it safely through. Paul
knew this quite well and his words can aid is in asking for prayer in times of trial:

And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has
graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. 2 Corinthians 1:11 (NLTSE)

If you are undergoing challenges, hardship and trial at the time of reading this,
please be confident that you are nearer to the Masters Voice than the world
would have you believe. Your willingness to endure through these will bring Gods
power to transform this trial into comfort and even salvation for others around you.
Your trials will burn away, but the light that shines forth from you will draw others
to the Savior and they too, will hear the Masters Voice.