When I first started working with kindergarteners, the lesson plans had a section devoted to “stamina building.” Inexperienced as I was, I wondered if we were going to see how long these five-year-olds could hold an extended plank. Spoiler alert: that wasn’t it.

One of the literacy goals was for students to read a book independently for 15 minutes during rotations. Guess where you start when you pursue this goal? One. One minute. The teacher set a timer for sixty seconds that first day and celebrated the kids when they read for that amount of time. Steady increases over many days led to students enjoying their books for much longer than the desired fifteen minutes. 

It’s been a tough few weeks in the world. Some days the news delivers a gut punch before we’ve managed to get back on our feet after the last one. There is a sense of heaviness, and Christians are not exempt. 

In Jen Wilken’s study on the book of Revelation, she says Revelation isn’t meant to promote escapism (“Come, Lord Jesus” – though this is a worthy prayer), but rather, endurance. I keep turning that truth over in my mind. Revelation was written to the persecuted church, and even the souls of the martyrs in the throne room of God are crying out “how long” (Rev. 6:9-11)? My prayers often lean toward the escape hatch. I want Jesus to come, end it, resolve, restore and redeem. Game over; bring on Heaven!

But He tarries, so what does that mean for us? Here’s some of what the Bible has to say: 

…suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Rom. 5:3b-5)

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 5:10-11)

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10:36)

When we don’t think we can take one more thing, we need to be like those kindergarteners and build our stamina. Let’s start with one minute… just walking in faith and trusting God for today. He promises daily bread and new mercies every morning, and it’s enough. In time, those days will stretch out, and God will grow our capacity to endure through these challenging times. 

Additional scripture for study: James 1:12, Galatians 6:9, Philippians 3:12-16, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Timothy 4:7-8

By Lori Barkley

Lori and her husband Jim attend the Armstrong Mill campus where she serves as a deacon. They have two daughters in college, Brynn and Katy.