To endure as pain
demands: the fifth faith characteristic
listed in Alton’s letter requires a look at phraseology. In what sense does pain demand? Several examples may help clarify: road hazards demand sturdy tires be installed
on cars; long hours in the library demand student endurance; the pain of strenuous
training demands endurance for athletes; the pain of combat exercises demand
endurance of boot camp soldiers. Rough
situations including the experience of pain demand endurance. This pain can be physical or emotional. When someone faces the demands of pain, faith is
their closest ally. For faith implies an
acceptance of reality and the conditions it presents followed closely by a
fighting attitude to endure and in this important sense to prevail—for
endurance by sheer spiritual strength is itself a great accomplishment. “Why me” whines and a defeatist attitude of victimization
are not the harvest of faith. Neither is envy or resentment of those more fortunate. To endure as pain demands is in the end an
awesome spiritual victory.
Print Page
