Is it possible to endure in a Godly manner without a joy set before us?
There are two words in the Greek that speak of endurance. One describes the heart condition, hupoménō, while you are engaged in adversities, the other, kakopathéō, simply expresses the conflict itself. Jesus was a man acquainted with sorrows. Paul knew afflictions and persecutions, which he describes in detail to the Corinthians. We are aware, historically, of the circumstances that befell the first church, yet somehow today, have we developed a mindset that says we do not have to suffer these things?
To believe Gods love to us guarantees a trouble free life, is to be ignorant of scripture. “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome it.” John 16:33. “God who is faithful will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will with the temptation make a way of escape.”1 Cor 10:13. What’s he faithful to do ~ keep you in the midst of the trouble and lead you through it. He shows us the way out. I can’t ever get away from this ~ Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Luke 4:1. It doesn’t matter if our troubles our demonic or just the effects of life, bad choices, etc., hardness will come and our admonition is to maintain a heart that absolutely stays connected to God in his love and is not move by what he sees, but endures. We meet it, just like Jesus did in Luke chapter 4. He goes in “full of the Spirit” and comes out “in the power of the Holy Ghost”.
He goes to the garden and sustains himself for what he must meet by the grace of God and, for the joy set before Him, he endures. He looked beyond the cross and saw the promise of God - many brethren. We are encouraged to look unto Jesus. We too mustchoose to see and believe His promises above our circumstances and trouble.
We can’t find in the bible men and women who lived in this world and did not suffer hardships. The bible is story after story about the greatness of God, the goodness of a Father with overflowing love and mercy to help.
Isaiah 60:1 from the Amplified reads ~ ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]1... a great admonition and one we can do as we keep our eyes on Him. With a purposed joy set before us we endure, stedfast, immoveable and abounding in the work of the Lord. Amen.