The Power to Endure

We often look upon the troubles of others and wonder how they live through them. We see those who have been suddenly stricken by sorrow, by accident, by some ill-advised action, or by the loss of loved ones, and we wonder how they carry on. We see those who have borne some long-sustained trial or disappointment, perhaps year after year, and we wonder how they continue to face life with courage and purpose. And, supposing ourselves in their places, we are inclined to think that we couldn’t possibly carry on if like tragedy were to befall us. But the fact is we don’t know how much we can stand until we have to. Life doesn’t consult us as to the time or the place or the kind of experiences it visits upon us. And there are countless thousands of men and women who have lived through the bitterest of trials which they thought beforehand they never could have endured. But, when difficulties come, we do somehow endure them. We endure them because often there isn’t anything else to do about it, because we are confident that there will come an end to our troubles, and because of our conviction that life is purposeful and that there is an unfailing eventual justice and compensation. And thus we learn to live a day at a time, which is all any man has to do anywayand which, indeed, is all any of us can do. We can’t live life any faster than it comes, but we can and must live it as it comes. And from un-looked-for sources we find help and understanding and endurance according to our needs, even in our most grievous disappointments and hardships. And so, when we are pushed beyond what would seem to be the last limit, it is not uncommon to find that it is not in reality the limit at all. We do somehow find the strength to do what we have to do, and to endure what we have to endure. And the faith that it shall always be so will save us much needless worry about things that never happen, and will give us much courage in facing what does happen.