Life is to be endured.
What does this mean to you?
Does it cause you to think of long-awaited happier times, far from reach, on the other side of difficult and unpleasant obstacles?
Does it bring to mind only a begrudging kind of loathing for the future?
I've learned to see enduring as more than just an unpleasant precursor to pleasure.
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In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13; Doc. & Cov. 45: 56-59), we see those that are wise enjoy the blessing of the light they bring in anticipation of the coming of the groom.
This light can be shared, but the fuel that feeds it cannot. Each must have their own provision of oil to be properly prepared to participate in the party.
We may view their preparation as having been a careful, deliberate gathering of oil, drop by drop, over time. Their humble diligent efforts were comprised of ordinary looking experiences common to the life of a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Their wisdom was not in themselves, for they never knew the timing of the groom's appearance. Their wisdom was in learning to follow the Holy Ghost by taking Him as their guide, allowing them to avoid deception. (Doc. & Cov. 45: 57)
I see their patient work of preparation as an example of enduring.
They put their belief into action. They vitalized their yearnings for good, and thereby exercised faith. More than wishing, their desires became truly hopeful as they developed a clear expectation of the good things yet to come.
They needed extra oil to last through their night of waiting for a delayed appearing.
Their gathering of sufficient supplies of oil wasn't a "one-and-done" sort of sprint. It involved enduring.
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Think of the word in two parts: En-Dure.
It's easy only to consider its meaning as the long-suffering kind of patient waiting commonly understood.
I will now challenge you to think of it another way, based on its Latin origins, and literal meaning, “to harden.”
Endure:
To make durable.
To cause to be permanent.
To establish, maintain, and make firm.
Enduring is an action we take in changing ourselves, our attitude, our intent.
Instead of only "getting through" things and thereby passively waiting to be acted upon by our circumstances, we take charge and actively work to make our circumstances more favorable.
We solidify attributes and relationships.
We crystallize fluidity in our lives, creating order out of chaos.
We become established in the Lord, and better able to “stand fast” in His righteousness. (Ephesians 6: 11-18; Galatians 5: 1; Mosiah 23: 13; Alma 58: 40)
The Holy Ghost powerfully enables us to endure by acting as the Holy Spirit of Promise. He ratifies our righteous desires and actions by sealing the validity of our covenants. (See Acts 2: 33; Ephesians 1: 13-14; Doc. & Cov. 76: 51-60; 132: 7, 18-19, 26)
By considering it in this light, suddenly the idea of enduring becomes a positive delight instead of negative drudgery!
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Endure your beliefs, faith, and knowledge.
Endure your love for God and others.
Endure your covenants.
Endure your sense of peace.
Endure your joy.
Endure your righteous desires for good things to come.
When you feel unsure about something you know deep down to be good, endure it!
Make it real.
Make it solid.
Make it sure.
See also:
Prepared in a Manner That Never Had Been Known, by Linda K. Burton