Yes, in service to God endurance is one of the characteristics that is realized.
“4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” — 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (ESV)
As I read and study this morning I have found, and was reminded, that serving God is not always going to be sunshine and rainbows. There are going to be times when it feels as though the whole world is against me. Just look at the above verses and read all that comes with being a servant of God. Notice the items called out first in verses four and five. It is all that is tough where I/we may feel that there is no way out. And then, there is that which is picked up in verses six and seven which give hope and comfort.
Next I review the final verses above and see the contrasting characteristics one at a time. I am going to experience a wave of characteristics and actions for and against me as I serve God. I will naturally find myself at every moment with those characteristics that are uplifting. I will find myself more in line with the structure of verses eight through ten where I will experience both positive and negative in situations and throughout the day. I have to know that I have chosen to follow and serve God and with that I have chosen all that comes with it.
The thing I have to remember is the first characteristic listed in all of the verses above when it comes to serving God, endurance. In all that I find myself each day, whether positive, negative, or neutral, I have to endure it all as I make it through. God is with me through it all. He only wants what is best for me and that comes in the end when I have made it through all He has for me to do and accomplish. I will have the chance to rest in heaven when I go to be with Him. I only have to embrace the endurance needed to make it through and then experience rest and reward.
What are you experiencing that you may feel are outside of the characteristics of serving God? Are you expecting that all of the experiences you have to be positive and without challenge? What if you simply endured all the characteristics of service to God and only expected rest and reward in heaven?
Trevor's Thoughts 