ὑπομονή (hupomonē)
- steadfastness, constancy, endurance
- in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings
- patiently, and steadfastly
- a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
In our walk with God and throughout life in general, we need ὑπομονή, (hoop- o-mo-nay). We need the perseverance to endure trials. God given trials are for our strengthening. It interesting that the author James, tells us to "consider it pure joy.. whenever you face trials." I remember one time I asked God to give me a trial, so that I could trust Him through the midst of it. (In retrospect, that probably wasn't the best thing to pray for). Anywho, I ended up getting sick the day after and everything just became more difficult. The lesson is not to pray for trials, but to be prepared for when they do come, and to have joy that God is the one who will help you through it.
Lately, I've been incredibly exhausted. Yes, this is probably a sign to find rest in God. But it is also a sign to pray for perseverance. God grants us extraordinary strength to endure difficulties; whether it be school, work, goals, relationships, our sanctification, or other responsibilities. I find myself praying for hupomonē a lot. In fact, I believe it pleases God when we can come to Him, and admit that we are too weak on our own sheer efforts/willpower, and that we are in need of the power of His sustaining Spirit. God loves it when we ask for His help. He blesses us when we seek Him according to His sovereign will. God equips us with the means and the energy to accomplish the tasks He has prepared for us.
Lately, I've been incredibly exhausted. Yes, this is probably a sign to find rest in God. But it is also a sign to pray for perseverance. God grants us extraordinary strength to endure difficulties; whether it be school, work, goals, relationships, our sanctification, or other responsibilities. I find myself praying for hupomonē a lot. In fact, I believe it pleases God when we can come to Him, and admit that we are too weak on our own sheer efforts/willpower, and that we are in need of the power of His sustaining Spirit. God loves it when we ask for His help. He blesses us when we seek Him according to His sovereign will. God equips us with the means and the energy to accomplish the tasks He has prepared for us.
We all need consistency in our spiritual life, and in our daily responsibilities. I'm more of a "sprinter" because I can go fast for a short time. I use all my energy and get burnt out. But school, work, ministry, relationships, and our faith in God, is more like a marathon. We need a steady pace to continue running and to be faithful to what God has called us to.
We need to run with purpose. We need to train ourselves to grow in self-discipline but with dependency on God. When God is our treasure and our prize we set our eyes on, He provides us with the fruit of the Spirit to keep going. Exhausted? Tired? Weary? Pooped out? Find rest in God and pray for perseverance.
I guess this is a long way of saying i need to go do my homework.. lol -_-"
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"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -James 1:2-4
"Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us
run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the
joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." -Hebrews 12:1-3
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do
it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that
will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I
have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the
prize." 1 Cor. 9:24-27
"But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely." - Psalm 59:16-17
"But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely." - Psalm 59:16-17
"He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31
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