Endurance Isn’t Pretty, But It’s Powerful

As Christians, let’s be honest endurance isn’t something we like to talk about.

Most of us, especially in our Western culture, have been sold a version of life that revolves around comfort, success, and convenience. From a young age, we’ve been spoon-fed the “American Dream”: beautiful homes, picture-perfect families, and a life filled with ease and prosperity.

And with commercials, social media, and marketing campaigns growing louder every year, that dream has only gotten shinier, more curated, more… fake.

But you know what no one’s talking about?

The blood, sweat, and tears it really takes to follow Jesus.

The pain, the pressing, the pruning.

So today, let’s talk about it.

Let’s talk about endurance.

What Is Endurance—Biblically Speaking?

Endurance isn’t about just surviving life.

It’s about remaining faithful, steadfast, and uncompromising in your walk with God—especially when things are hard.

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” — Matthew 24:13

Endurance means that when life gets ugly...

When the diagnosis comes…

When the marriage struggles…

When the finances collapse…

When the grief doesn’t lift…

We stand firm. We don’t fold. We press on.

Not because we’re strong—but because He is.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” — James 1:12

This isn’t the kind of life the world sells.

It’s not glamorous.

It’s not shiny.

It doesn’t always photograph well.

It may not go viral.

But it’s holy.

It’s refined.

It’s worthy.

How Do We Endure?

We simply look to Jesus.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…”. — Hebrews 12:1-2

We don’t endure by grit alone.

We endure by fixing our eyes on the One who went first, who endured betrayal, suffering, and death… all for us.

He didn’t give up.

And now, through the Holy Spirit, He gives us the strength to keep going.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” — Romans 5:3–4

Suffering isn’t meaningless.

It’s making something out of us.

It’s growing roots in us.

It’s pulling the shallow out and planting something deep.

WE ARE BEING DEVELOPED, Y’ALL.

Endurance Doesn’t Always Look Pretty

Let’s just call it what it is... endurance won’t always match the Instagram aesthetic.

It won’t always sound like victory.

Sometimes it sounds like crying while worship plays.

Sometimes it looks like repentance.

Sometimes it’s just getting out of bed and choosing to believe again.

But even in that…

Through the tears, I WILL PRAISE HIM.

Through the pain, I WILL PRAISE HIM.

Through the darkness, I WILL PRAISE HIM.

Through my bad decisions, I REPENT, GET BACK UP, AND CONTINUE TO PRAISE HIM.

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” — Job 13:15

This is the kind of faith that shakes hell.

Not the flashy kind.

Not the perfect kind.

But the kind that won’t quit.

The kind that says,

“Even if everything falls apart I will not stop loving, following, and praising Jesus.”

Don’t Stop. Don’t Quit.

So friend, hear me:

Keep showing up.

Keep choosing Jesus.

Keep praising Him in the middle of your mess.

“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”— 1 Corinthians 15:58

Pastor Sarah Bell