Strength and Endurance

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, (1 Peter 1:13a)

One of the most vital components of war or being in any battle is taking the stance and the position of being the strongest.  In the past we would directly associate strength with size and physical power or speed.  Peter understood the magnitude of what we will be going through; he understood we battle not against flesh and blood; he understood that this is a spiritual battle.  But how do we fight when we are smaller than what we are fighting, how do we fight when we are weaker, where do we run when there is no place to run to? If we are to win this war, we must be prepared, we cannot afford to go into battle unprepared. 

The bible declares “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22 NIV).  Our power is in our stance and if we are not prepared with a stance that can endure, we risk giving up and throwing in the towel and ultimately losing the war of life.  Peter is informing us that as we gird up the loins of our mind we are building spiritual armor around our mind that can withstand the blow of anything.  As we gird up the loins of our mind we are also building up our spiritual endurance. “Heaven and earth may pass away but My Word will never pass away” (Luke 21:33 KJV), never being penetrated and never giving up.  When you have the power to stand and the endurance to remain standing, giving up is not an option.  This morning I encourage you to continue grooming and strengthening the Spirit that resides on the inside of you.  As we grow in the word of God, we grow in our stance and our endurance.