Day7: Courage to Endure and Stand Firm | 7 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

Did you know that today’s human attention span is considered one of the shortest it has ever been? Many believe this is largely due to digital technology, with some sources estimating that the average internet user’s attention span has dropped to just over eight seconds—down from about twelve seconds in the year 2000.

There can be a connection between a person’s attention span and their ability to endure. When it becomes harder to hold our attention, it also becomes harder to persevere. We are less willing to stay, wait, or endure discomfort.

When we don’t see an immediate solution—when there’s no “microwave” answer—we often throw our hands up and move on to the next thing. But endurance is courage in long form.

When God has called you, He will also sustain you. Standing firm through pressure, delay, or spiritual opposition is evidence of the Spirit’s strength at work within you.

Do you have the courage to endure? Sometimes it takes more faith and courage to remain in an undesirable situation than it does to move on to something new.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. When we find ourselves in overwhelming circumstances, it is easy to become discouraged. Simply put, discouragement is the feeling of being “away from” or “apart from” courage. Without courage, we will not endure. We will not last.

We must have the courage not to give up. We must stand firm on the promises of God, trusting that on the other side of this season we will reap—not a small return—but a harvest of blessing.

In Galatians 5, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit. One fruit that is often overlooked is long-suffering—the ability to patiently endure hardships, especially those caused by other people.

Is it possible that God has allowed this situation in your life to create an opportunity for more

fruit to grow—specifically, the fruit of long-suffering? This is not easy. And I am not saying that it is. But I am saying that it is worth it, because it is shaping you to look more and more like Jesus. And that kind of transformation takes courage.

Prayer

Lord, we do not want to have short spiritual attention spans anymore. Thank You for using our

circumstances to grow our endurance. Give us the boldness and courage to endure longer than we ever have before. Help us stand firm and trust that You are producing good fruit in us. Amen.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13–14; Galatians 6:9