Endurance. It is commanded and commended in the Bible.
It is not just something we might need, but rather something we are called to do.
It is perseverance. Patience. Waiting and not giving up. Keeping the faith despite opposition. Holding fast to Jesus when persecuted. Lasting through trouble and hardship without giving up or falling away. Continuing to the end even through difficulties.
I thought of this especially in light of the current trend in universities for students to demand never to be offended or "hurt" by something someone might say or do that bothers them. In contrast, the Bible says these things:
2Timothy 2:3 - "You therefore must endure hardship [share suffering] as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Matthew 24:13 - "But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
Revelation 13:7-10 - "Also [the beast] was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints."
Revelation 14:12 - "Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus."
Hebrews 12:1-3 - "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. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."
Hebrews 6:15 - "And so, after [Abraham] had patiently endured [waited], he obtained the promise."
Hebrews 10:35-36 - "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."
Mark 4:17 - "And they [seed sown on rocky ground] have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away."
1 Corinthians 4:10,12-13 - "We are fools for Christ's sake ... we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things."
1 Corinthians 13:7, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
2 Timothy 2:10,12 - "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. ... if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us..."
2 Timothy 4:5 - "As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
1 Peter 2:19-21 - "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."
