Patient Endurance

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints. Revelation 14:12

Are you facing a parenting challenge that just won’t go away? Is it your daughter’s health? Your son’s irresponsibility? Your child’s disinterest in God? Is it simply a lack of energy to keep up with rambunctious toddlers or rowdy teens?

We know how hard it can be to maintain optimism and confidence in the face of a never-changing trial. We’re told in Scripture that Abraham and Sarah faced such a challenge. God had promised Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation. That was wonderful news to an aging man and his barren wife. What followed, however, were years of continued infertility.

After more than two decades passed, Abraham was even more confused. He and his wife were simply too old to have children. Yet he still believed in God’s power: “He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith” (Romans 4:20). Abraham’s faith was later rewarded with the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:2).

Isn’t that a wonderful example of faith under fire? It should give you courage to retain spiritual confidence even when the pieces don’t fit. Your “patient endurance” will not go unnoticed by your heavenly Father. Even when it appears nothing is happening, God is at work in the lives of each member of your family.

Before you say good night…

What situations in your lives could use some “Abraham-like” faith?

In what ways have you already seen the rewards of your faith?

How well do you demonstrate “patient endurance” to your family?

Father, we need to walk by faith, not by sight. What we see of our situation so often causes us to lose heart. Open our eyes, God, to see Your great power and mighty hand in our lives. Encourage us tonight, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

• From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
  Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.