¹¹ See, we count as blessed those who have endured.^[a] You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11 CSB)

I have been spending as much time as I can afford riding my mountain bike of late. I needed to get serious about some way to combat my diabetes, aging and the battle of the bulge above my belt. When I started my endurance was not great and I found myself getting exhausted during a ride. But over time my endurance improved as has my general health. The outcome was worth the physical expense.

I have also written many times about endurance that is built by simply living life. I was talking to someone the other day who was having a rough time of it. I told them to remember that the sun would rise again. Meaning, each day gives way to the next. We may have to endure what we are dealing with today but tomorrow will come and situations will change. We get too wrapped up in our momentary worries and lose sight of the possible outcomes. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

In hindsight on my life I realize looking back that many of the difficulties I endured that felt dire at the time actually lead to something better. In truth, if we can get out of our own way and let God work we often find that the outcome is far greater than the endurance suffered.