You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;
if we endure, we will also reign with Him;
if we deny Him, He also will deny us;
if we are faithless, He remains faithful—
for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:1-13
The path Jesus has for each of us is NOT easy. Paul uses the examples of a soldier, athlete, and a farmer to illustrate what is required. Paul was writing Timothy from a Roman prison. He understood the ‘costs’ and was willing to pay them for the ‘sake of the elect’. Paul wasn’t thinking about himself, he wasn’t thinking about his suffering, he was determined to ‘finish the race’ with endurance and perseverance. There will be those really difficult times and seasons in our lives, even and especially when we think we should have it ‘all figured out’. What are we focusing on? The assignment Jesus has called us to? Or on our current condition and suffering and difficulties? Whose strength are you relying on… to make it through? How important is our ability to endure in those really tough times?
Peter also has some advice on this pursuit of endurance to be like Jesus.
For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:19-23
How do we develop endurance? Are you learning discipline and how to endure hardship from the Holy Spirit? Are you putting yourself under His ‘coaching’? Is He guiding you? Is He advising you? Have you ever entered into a discipline routine that is ‘easy’? What must we be willing to give up to gain that which we desire?
And now finally… the advice from the letter to the Hebrews…
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and 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, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Don’t give up. The reward is greater than you can imagine. Endure.