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For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against
himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Heb 12:3)
A student endures many years of college because of a mental focus to
acquire adequate credentials. A mother endures painful childbearing
because it ends in joyful expectations. An athlete endures a rigorous
course of discipline because he considers it the cost of victory.
Physical exhaustion is temporary and can be overcome with a good night’s
sleep or perhaps a week of vacation; however, mental exhaustion is a
horse of a different color. It is the result of a misfocus and
consequently bad expectations. When people disappoint, plans fail, and
Christian living brings painful affliction, we are not only given Jesus’
exhortation but His example to consider. He said unequivocally,
hardship in the Christian life is certain. Moreover this sinless and
perfect man suffered unduly and unjustly, trotting out the path before
us. Endurance is not as much physicality as it is mentality. The Hebrew
writer says mental rest and relaxation immediately occurs when we
consider Him. What a paradox, one can labor and rest simultaneously if
Jesus is on your mind. Whether preventative or cure for spiritual
burnout: consider Him! For then your affliction affirms your destiny,
your suffering soothes your conscious, and your pain prospers your
spirit.
Yuri Solomon - Devotion 100813
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let
patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. (James 1:3-4)
We often overlook the fact that
temptation and patience are opposites. Temptation is demanding immediate
gratification of a desire; patience is but to except God’s delay. Yet
temptation is set as a handmaid to the godly mind identifying the need
for patience in the tempted area. Paul says on another occasion, "the
resisting of temptation builds character". It is no different than
weight-lifting or resistance training as an athlete. The heavy lifting
of maintaining a Christ-like disposition creates spiritual muscle.
Temptation masquerades as a short-cut to a legitimate desire. The answer
to temptation is patience. A little patience will beget more patience
for a greater blessing. Yet patience is not waiting in a vacuum; rather,
it is preoccupied with both theology and prayer; that is, studying
God’s ways and acquiring His wisdom. For what God desires to give you in
all things is Himself and that through patience. Realize there are no
short-cuts and let patience have her perfect work.
