2 Peter 1:3-7
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
The Greek word ‘steadfastness’ here is hupomone can be translated endurance, steadfastness, and a patient enduring. The base of the word describes ‘remaining under’, especially as God enables the believer to ‘endure under’ the challenges He allots to them in their life.
To me this concept reminds me of patience which is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). This characteristic of hupomone is of a man who is not deterred from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to his faith and upright living even under the greatest trials and sufferings. Being able to endure when the trials get hot and difficult.
Whenever is see these ‘lists’ in scripture it’s my habit to study and research the words in the list to dig deeper for greater meaning and understanding. One of the tools I use to maintain endurance is to understand the benefits of why I am to ‘endure with patience’. Understanding why for me is important. When I know the ‘why’ of a thing — it grounds me with determination. Often times I see ‘teachers’ explaining the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ but usually not the ‘why’. And the ‘why’ can be different for different people. The ‘why’ question goes to the ‘core’ of an issue.
Marathons take endurance. Many sports require this attribute of steadfastness. Delayed gratification requires a patient endurance. There are many times in life when endurance can yield a very good harvest for the one who persevered to the end of a thing. Read Hebrews 12 for more on this concept. This attribute although not in Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit, makes Peter’s list of things to acquire and set into our lives.
Endurance and steadfastness takes discipline and self control within the individual. We know that quitting is only beneficial when we’ve taken on a project or task or belief not given to us by the Holy Spirit. If the Spirit directs you to do something — then do it to it’s completion. Also if the enemies of God see you doing this divinely inspired task they most certainly will attempt to hinder you along the way, and try to get you to quit the course.
This attribute is not easy and usually involves pain and suffering. Jesus is fully aware of this attribute and understands your pain and suffering, for He endured the cross for the harvest it would yield. If we are to become like Him then this attribute of endurance will be a necessary component, and we can be assured the Spirit will bring us challenges and direction that will help us in the acquisition of this needed value in our lives.
If you are currently in the midst of a challenge – then I encourage you to press into Him / the Holy Spirit for encouragement, direction, and strength so that you may be able to — endure through it to it’s end.