3 Reasons to Endure (even when you don’t like the outcome)

We can do our very best and still experience unwanted outcomes.

Life just rolls that way. Try as we might, our best efforts often fall short.

No matter how hard we try to salvage relationships in our lives, some will end.

No matter what we do to remain healthy, illness can (and will) strike.

No matter how diligent we are in protecting our children, they will likely get hurt at some time.

That can lead to thoughts of giving up or of only putting in minimal effort. 

As I reflected on this topic, I came up with three reasons to stay the course, to endure to the end, to do our best in every situation we face.

Obedience

In all of Scripture, I haven’t come across one verse that says be obedient only if you see the benefits. God asks us to live our lives for Him, regardless of what that looks like.

He promises an incredible ultimate outcome, but not every immediate one we desire.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 ESV

Walking in faith doesn’t mean we like all we face. Walking in faith means we love God enough to go where He asks whether we like it or not.

Walking in faith doesn't mean you like all u face but that u love God enough to go where He asks even when you don't. Share on X

Growth

Often the stops along the way prove far more valuable than the end destination.

Looking back, I can now see that the detours and pit stops God allowed and orchestrated along my journey have been invaluable to me as a person and as a Christian.

I’d never have planned the loss of my babies, but God’s grace sprinkled in those seasons of heartache have grown empathy and trust. Walking through such sorrow provided many lessons I draw on often as we raise our daughter with special needs.

Persevering in a trial produces growth and insight you’d never expect.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24-25 ESV

Persevering in a trial produces growth and insight you'd never expect. Share on X

Trust

Moving forward when we are fearful or uncertain demonstrates we trust God to redeem the situation whatever the result. As importantly, walking through various undesirable situations shows God trustworthy for all we face.

God tells us He has plans for our welfare, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). In fact, He’s already provided for that future and hope in the life and death of Jesus Christ.

We can trust Him to be faithful in our daily trials as well.

Many situations in my life are unrolling differently than I’d have wanted. But trusting God as my Lord, Savior, and Redeemer gives me peace in their less-than-preferred outcomes.

Trusting Him means walking the path He’s laid out for me, even when the destination seems bleak.

Trusting God means walking the path He's laid out for you, even when the destination seems bleak. Share on X

“Those who know Your name trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You, Yahweh.” Psalm 9:10 HCSB

Endure to the End

When you’ve done everything you can and the situation hasn’t turn out the way you’d hoped, may I encourage you to endure,

• to love God enough to continue to walk in obedience,
• to have confidence that through the trials you grew (and continue to grow) in ways you didn’t even realize, impacting you and others in profound ways, 
• to trust God to redeem the outcome for His glory and ultimately for your good.

We can do all withing our ability and still fail to reach the destination we desire. But when we follow God into and through a situation, even when we don’t gain the result we want, we will always reach the right destination.

So, my friend, stay strong to the end, endure in trials through the grace of God, and receive your crown!

When you follow God into and through a situation, you will always reach the right destination! Share on X

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 NASB

Reflections: How do you process a situation that turns out differently than you’d hoped? How do you then convince yourself to get up and go again?

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “when you’ve done everything you can.” Click on the image to check out the wonderful encouragement.