The value of Endurance
Endurance is like many strengths or virtues we admire in others. We look on with admiration when we observe this quality, yet when we ourselves are tested through a difficulty in our own life, we often long for a way out. The acquisition of this quality is reminiscent of the deep lactic acid burn in someone’s muscles during a long distance run…or difficult hike, or pushing their muscles to the point of failure in the gym. It’s uncomfortable and it takes a certain mindset to keep going when the systems in our body (and/or mind!) are screaming to stop!
The quality of endurance often conjures an image of an athlete crossing the finish line in the olympics after overcoming a terrible injury, someone fighting seemingly insurmountable odds to come out on the other end not only standing, but stronger & wiser for it. A mountain climber fighting the elements & their own human will to conquer a high mountain, steep cliff face or disaster, yet manage to complete the task. Whether it’s these images or something different, endurance evokes images & thoughts of someone with inner strength; ability to overcome, to push through; to keep standing against resistance/problems/pain…perhaps against all odds.
en·dur·ance/inˈd(y)o͝orəns,enˈd(y)o͝orəns/noun
1. the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.”she was close to the limit of her endurance.”
There are physical, as well as psychological components to endurance. If we look at the root word in endurance, it gives us a big clue.
“Endure.”
But don’t let that deter you if life has been hitting hard. This article isn’t about adding burdens to your already challenging situation, rather come along side to say:we get it. Life gets really, really….really tough sometimes. We’d like to simply come along side to support encourage & be a voice that says,”DO NOT give up when life is raging like a storm all around you!” It will not last forever.
The dictionary sums up the word “endure”…the root word of endurance, by stating that it means to suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently. To remain in existence; last.
Yeah, that doesn’t sound super appealing, does it?
So why is it there’s something that draws us either with admiration or fascination to hear/to read about/watch movies about people who endure hardships, who overcome obstacles to acquire endurance; those who refuse to give up; who keep moving forward, often against all odds?
There’s something within the human spirit that I believe is made to overcome obstacles and to grow within the unique struggles we will undoubtedly face. It’s in the tension between the hardships of life (that none of us really enjoy or necessarily want to face, and honestly we might just want to escape), and the part of the human spirit that is made for conquering and overcoming hardship, that longs for and has a deep inbuilt seemingly hidden resource of strength for when we’re faced with difficulties, so that we can to not just “get through” them, but often surprise ourselves and grow in the process of tapping into those resources that get us through the long nights & painful days.
It’s in this space where we feel pain, and are faced with temptations to give up, that we have the opportunity to go deeper within ourselves, our beliefs, to seek out help and wisdom; to learn new life skills. On the other side of “the thing”, ultimately to be strengthened, and to acquire this admirable, hard earned quality of endurance.
The qualities we admire in others & desire to live out in our own lives aren’t cheap. They don’t come for free. Developing qualities and strengths whether physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually will cost us something. EVERYTHING of value costs. The more valuable the thing, the greater the price. We all know this to be true.
When faced with hardships ask: what are the qualities I have an opportunity to learn about/to grow by not giving up, but persevering through this? How will I feel a week, a month, a year from now by not throwing in the proverbial towel here & now?
Just as I was putting this together one of our daughters was expressing to my husband that she wasn’t sure she had what it took to complete all of her races at the track meet while still performing well. In typical Jonathan fashion he did some research and was able to encourage our daughter with a fact that is quite encouraging…and astonishing.
Did you know that with some endurance athletes, when they feel they’ve exhausted every resource within themselves & they just can’t go on, at THAT point, they’ve exhausted approximately only 40% of what they’re capable of.
We will only see what we’re capable of…and perhaps also make some new discoveries what we’re here to accomplish by going through testing that brings us far beyond what we ever thought we could endure.
…Perhaps that’s not such a bad thing? And not that we necessarily need to go looking for it, as life has a way of presenting more challenges than we sometimes ever wanted or thought we could face, and often in areas we didn’t expect…but something truly great has the potential to be birthed in this place, if we will not give up.
Often we don’t realize we’ve gained endurance until we are on the other side of “the thing” and realize we actually not only got through it, but as we look back and process it, we actually, ultimately gained more than we ever lost.
During times of facing challenges & testing, much could be said about what the “right things” are to do, but let’s be honest, who needs more burdens hearing all the great things we “ought to do” that aren’t realistic when life is already stretching us too thin?
During times of heightened stress, having a long list of “to do’s” can feel more burdensome than helpful, even if it’s “great information.” We’re about things being of practical use, not merely offering flat, impractical information.
So with that heart, if any of these simple points speak to you, apply only what strikes a chord for you, keep it simple and doable, or it won’t last anyway. We’d far rather see people apply one good thing that they’re motivated/able to stick with longer term, rather than attempting 20 things that fade away within 2 weeks (at best!). Life is an endurance race of sorts anyway, much more than a short sprint, so let’s approach life by looking at the long term.
1.) Drink plenty of water. But wait before you tune out what we’ve all heard a billion times! Did you know that the cells in our body have small electrical charges & in order to keep our cells communicating well, we need to keep hydrated so our cells, systems in our bodies & energy doesn’t get “gummed up”?…among lots of other reasons! Yup. Let’s keep it simple & leave it there for now.
2.) Sleep. Yes. That old thing. If you’re stressed out through a tough season requiring endurance & not sleeping on the front end (in the evening), add some time in the morning, take a nap, do whatever small thing you can to add to your sleep. Without it we don’t recover physically, mentally or emotionally like we need to, especially while enduring difficulties. Endurance requires more sleep and more recovery. There’s NO way around it. Sorry. I know, the dishes may pile up, your floors may not get swept clean. Your car may get messy from the kids. We can stress to no end about everything that doesn’t get done, or we can recognize sometimes during some seasons of life it is just not possible to do everything on our unending lists. Choose wisely. Sleep is a non-negotiable.
3.) Healthy eating often goes out the window. Without a lecture about what’s “good and perfect”-in reality many are eating more at restaurants or fast food options, or over eating or tempted by the foods that create more stress during times that require endurance. Do what you can to eat more nutrient dense foods, and if that’s just not something that’s realistically going to happen (I’d rather have an honest discussion about this, that’s actually real rather than advice that few will find useful.) Drink daily greens drinks, if nothing else. If you can, add nutrient dense supplements for your adrenals, & essential oils for proper cellular function & stress management, and/or add some simple superfoods. Just add something beneficial that will be of practical help. Every small good choice makes a difference. Follow helpful advice of your healthcare practitioner for your unique situation. Again, keep it simple & doable. Remember–think long term for endurance, not short term sprint.
Rather than another 20 “great points” we could discuss, let’s keep it simple.
Add the good you can, that makes sense for your situation. Talk to friends & people you trust, and communicate with people you trust and/or in prayer in ways that allow you to have some outlets for all you are going through.
No storm lasts forever. It often feels like it when we’re in it, but ALL seasons pass, albeit some seasons seem to last longer than others. There will be a day when you’re looking back upon the challenges you may be facing today, it’ll be behind you, and you will have had the opportunity to overcome, grow and learn, and to develop more of that quality we all admire in others: endurance.
I’ve been reminded lately of a simple practical useful saying I’d like to share with you: “Go in the strength you have.”
Strength & blessings to you!
Katarina
Ps-if you enjoyed this article or have a certain topic you’d like to learn more about we’d love to hear from you!