This week’s essential tool for living through a time of pandemic is ENDURANCE. I put off preaching on this essential tool for living because we naturally prefer that our life be smooth and easy, and this is a tool we need to get through hard times. Endurance is defined as: the power to withstand pain or hardships; the ability or strength to continue despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions. Well we have plenty of adverse conditions in our life now and we need endurance to survive and even thrive. Where does the quality of endurance come from? And how can we get more, for ourselves and for other people who are struggling. I invite you to read and ponder Romans 5:1-5, especially v. 3 “suffering produces ENDURANCE.”
blessings, Ernie
p.s. I am overjoyed to announce the birth of our 4th grandchild, Johanna June Hess, last Sunday in Fresno. She was 7 pounds 2 ounces and 19 ¾ inches. Pray for “endurance” for the parents, Nate and Elaine, and much joy and love.