WITHSTAND SUFFERING
Suffering is part of the process to achieving goals in life, for everything that is worth it will cost us. Now, what does it mean to suffer. Suffering is to have patience and to persist until we reach our goals. Patience is the supernatural ability given by God to persevere during difficulties for long periods of time, while not losing our joy nor getting discouraged.
Many think that they have suffered and maybe it is true, but they haven’t learned how to suffer. In other words, they haven’t learned to endure during hardships. There are people who have “withstood” a problem for 20 years, but they have done it by relying on alcohol and losing their joy.
God calls us to persevere during tough times, but to do so with a mature character. In fact, a mature character is an indicator that determines who will have success in life and who will be a mediocre. A mature character helps us avoid unnecessary problems and fulfill our purpose.
Let’s endeavor to maintain a mature character so that we don’t get discouraged before the challenges we face on a daily basis. Let’s withstand the suffering and persevere to reach our noble goals without losing our joy.
The things that at “worth it” and that leave a legacy of blessings unto others are not always easy. If they were, then anybody would do them. We are not average people, we are the kind of people who finish what we start, we are the kind of people who endeavor and see the fruit of our work. Continue to endure in your purpose despite the difficulties, 
this is what it means to have the character of Christ.
(2 Timothy 2:3 NLT).
Think about it:
What things do you need to learn to withstand?
How can you mature in character?
