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Colossians 1:11

NASB	NLT	VOICE
11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously	11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,	11 Strengthen them with Your infinite power, according to Your glorious might, so that they will have everything they need to hold on and endure hardship patiently and joyfully.

The Strength of Patience and Endurance

The Greek word for “strengthened” suggests that we are filled with dynamic power. This power is not something that comes from humans, but from God alone. It’s available to all believers and guides us to live out our faith accordingly. This power is key for helping believers grow spiritually and stay strong during any trials. The source of this strong comes from God’s power. It’s sufficient, abundant, and full of His holiness and splendor. Through this power, we have endurance and patience. Endurance means to remain steadfast under trial. Patience involves long-suffering and restraint in the face of provocation. It’s a way for us to look at the stressors of life as chances to grow. Joy is not dependent on circumstances but is a deep-seated sense of well-being rooted in Christ.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Patience and endurance are key traits to over the stressors of life. What do you feel is stronger for you? How do you feel like you can improve the weaker one?

Living Out that Patience and Endurance

Endurance and patience are required to help over the trials of life. Endurance means to be steadfast under trial. Steadfast refers to staying firm and unwavering. In the Christian context, it’s staying loyal and faithful to God. When trials hit us, we don’t run away from them or to a temporary solution that doesn’t erase the trials but delays them. We face them head on. We lean on the strength of God to say, “I don’t know how I’m going to get through this, but I know who is going to lead me through this.” It’s knowing that God can overcome any battle that’s in front of Him.

Patience means to be in long-suffering and restraint facing provocation. Long-suffering means that we may hurt during the trial. We may suffer physically, mentally, and/or emotionally when we’re under attack. However, we don’t back down. We don’t crumble under the fight. We stay strong through the power of God on our side. This also means that we don’t lash out. We don’t attempt to seek revenge. We stay focused on the path that God has for us to lead us out of the trial. It may not be easy. It may not be light. It will be our best path forward. When we keep that in mind, we may be able to find joy in it. We may only reflect on it after the trial is over, but when we count it all as joy – we know we’re on the right path.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Think about the trials that you are facing right now. What can be one joyous thing found in them or after the trial has ended?

Above all, remember: I am strengthened with all the might according to His glorious power.

PRAY Action

Praise God for never leaving us during our trials. He makes strong, when we feel weak and beaten up.

Read Philippians 4:13

Ask God for the strength to withstand all things you are facing right now. Don’t focus on the overcoming part, because that will happen through Him. Focus on the strength to stand tall in the middle of the fight.

You are a warrior. You are an overcomer. You are a fighter. You can do all these things through God, your source of strength.

Next part: Embodying the Saintly Lifestyle || Who Am I Again? || Part 21 (FINALE)