The word endurance suggests resistance. If there is no resistance -- there would be no need for endurance. Endure means taking a strong stance and not giving up hope when obstacles or opposition confronts you. Sometimes, there is more at stake than we realize. An outreach team met with women in the secure unit of a local prison. One particular inmate consistently demonstrated her obvious agitation -- making fun, interrupting, causing disturbance. Her behavior discouraged the team, making it hard to endure. She stopped attending, then a few months later, she returned with a story: while she was alone in her cell, God met her, as she poured out her heart to the Saviour -- the Saviour she didn't want to admit she needed. She regretted her behavior and repented -- to the Lord and to the team she disrespected with her comments. They were stunned. They had persevered in the midst of the opposition -- not knowing that the Lord was working and drawing this woman to Himself. The Scriptures she mocked penetrated her heart. There were eternal consequences to pushing through. What the enemy uses against us to bring discouragement or deter our course, God can use to make us strong, mature, and immoveable -- our character more like Jesus. As a friend, who is facing incredible opposition, said to me today "I need to run to Jesus and get on my knees". We need His protection and strength. We need His perspective and courage. We need His