Embracing Endurance: God's Purpose in Our Struggles

Endurance is not a word we often want to hear, but it is a reality that God calls us to embrace. Life brings hardships—diagnoses, loss, financial strain, and even the pain of being misunderstood or lied about. Yet, these are not always signs of God’s displeasure or the enemy’s attack. Sometimes, God uses the very things we wish to escape as the tools to push us closer to our purpose. Not all struggle is satanic; sometimes, it is supernatural. God is not interested in simply making us comfortable—He is interested in transforming us, and that often happens through what we must endure.

Obedience to God does not guarantee an easy path. In fact, following God can lead us directly into opposition, misunderstanding, and even danger. Paul’s experience in Acts 21 is a vivid example: he was falsely accused, dragged out by his own people, and nearly killed—not for wrongdoing, but for doing exactly what God called him to do. The pain of being lied about or attacked by those who should support us is real, but it is not wasted. God can use even the lies and opposition of others as stepping stones to move us into the next chapter of our calling.

Enduring hardship is not about romanticizing suffering, but about recognizing that God is at work even in the chaos. The opposition we face is often a sign of the significance of our calling. The enemy does not waste ammunition on those who are not a threat. When we endure, we must remember that God is not punishing us, but perfecting us. The process may be slow and painful, but it produces a depth and strength that cannot be microwaved.

God’s rescue may not look like what we expect. Sometimes, deliverance comes through unexpected people or circumstances. Paul was saved not by a miraculous angelic intervention, but by a Roman soldier doing his job. The very thing meant to destroy him became the means of his deliverance. In the same way, God can use storms, setbacks, and even the actions of those who oppose us to set us free and propel us into our destiny. The challenge is to trust God’s process, endure what He allows, and praise Him even for the storms, knowing that He is working all things for our good.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Hardship is often God’s tool to propel us toward our destiny, not away from it. The things we most want to escape may be the very things God uses to shape us for His purposes. Endurance is not optional for those who want to go further with God; it is essential, because God’s greatest work in us often happens in the midst of our greatest struggles. [66:00]
• 2. Not all suffering is the result of the enemy’s attack; sometimes, it is the hand of God perfecting us. We must discern that every painful experience is not punishment—some are divine processes meant to mature us, deepen our faith, and prepare us for greater impact. This perspective frees us from bitterness and helps us embrace God’s transformative work. [68:37]
• 3. Obedience to God can provoke deliberate deception and opposition, even from those closest to us. When people are threatened by our growth and obedience, they may resort to lies, misinterpretation, and even hostility. Rather than trying to prove ourselves to those who will never be satisfied, we must remain steadfast, knowing that God can use even their opposition to advance His kingdom and our calling. [73:33]
• 4. The intensity of opposition is often a signal of the importance of God’s call on our lives. If we never face resistance, we may not be moving in the direction God desires. Instead of craving ease, we should thank God for the challenges, recognizing that the enemy only targets those who are a threat to his agenda. Our endurance in the face of adversity is a testimony to God’s sustaining power. [82:43]
• 5. God’s rescue is often radical and unexpected, coming through means we would never anticipate. Deliverance may not look miraculous in the moment, but God is always working behind the scenes, turning what was meant for our harm into the very thing that sets us free. The storms we resent may be the instruments of our liberation, and our greatest setbacks may open doors to our greatest opportunities. [89:27]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Rejoicing in God’s Faithfulness
• [03:00] - Series Introduction: Going Further
• [05:30] - The Reality of Endurance
• [08:00] - Wrestling with Hardship
• [11:00] - The Purpose of Pain
• [14:00] - Enduring Deliberate Deception
• [17:00] - The Pain of Being Misunderstood
• [20:00] - Belligerent Behavior and Opposition
• [23:00] - The Cost of Obedience
• [26:00] - The Significance of Opposition
• [29:00] - God’s Radical Rescue
• [32:00] - Unexpected Deliverance
• [35:00] - Praising God for the Storms
• [37:00] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Reading

Acts 21:26-36 (ESV) — 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”

Observation Questions

1. What specific actions did Paul take in the temple that led to the accusations against him? (Acts 21:26-29)
2. According to the sermon, what was the real reason the crowd turned against Paul? [01:13:33]
3. How did God provide rescue for Paul in this situation, and was it in a way Paul or others might have expected? (Acts 21:32-36) [01:28:02]
4. What were the accusations made against Paul, and were they based on truth or assumption? (Acts 21:28-29) [01:15:56]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Not all struggle is satanic; sometimes, it is supernatural. God is not interested in simply making us comfortable—He is interested in transforming us, and that often happens through what we must endure.” What does this suggest about how believers should view hardship in their lives? [01:07:38]
2. Why might obedience to God sometimes provoke opposition or even hostility from others, including those who are supposed to support us? [01:14:38]
3. The sermon points out that God’s rescue may not look miraculous in the moment, but He is always working behind the scenes. How does this challenge our expectations of how God should act in our lives? [01:29:27]
4. The intensity of opposition is described as a signal of the importance of God’s call. How can someone discern whether their struggles are a sign of God’s purpose or simply the result of poor choices? [01:22:43]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges the idea that following Jesus means a life of comfort and ease. In what areas of your life have you equated God’s favor with things going smoothly? How might this perspective need to change? [01:07:38]
2. Think about a time when you faced opposition or were misunderstood because you were trying to do the right thing. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now after hearing this message? [01:12:12]
3. The sermon says, “Quit trying to prove yourself to people who will never be impressed by what you’re doing to prove yourself to them.” Are there people in your life whose approval you are seeking at the expense of your obedience to God? What would it look like to let go of that need for approval? [01:15:56]
4. When have you experienced a “radical rescue” from God that didn’t look like a miracle at the time, but looking back, you can see His hand in it? How can you remind yourself to look for God’s work in unexpected places? [01:29:27]
5. The sermon mentions that “sometimes the call of God is not leading you to that which is safe. Sometimes it’s leading you to that which causes you to suffer.” Is there something God is calling you to endure right now? What would it look like to trust Him in the middle of it? [01:10:34]
6. The story at the end of the sermon describes a woman who was set free by a storm she thought would destroy her. Can you identify a “storm” in your life that God used for your good? How did it change you? [01:33:16]
7. The message says, “Endurance is not optional for those who want to go further with God; it is essential.” What is one practical way you can build endurance in your faith this week? [01:06:00]