When the subject of one word came up this year, I asked the Lord what my word should be. I didn't do it in a prayer, but just as a question. Immediately the word endurance came up. So I thought ok, that is a good one, but was not sure. But the word kept coming into my mind.

Lets go back to my past. I thought I was a strong woman. I was raised to be self sufficient and handle things. My mom taught me that the only person I could really rely on was myself. I don't think I was told to be patient. I was taught to go after what I wanted. I really wanted to be like my mom who could accomplish anything. Problem was, I was going against my real self.

A few years ago, I learned who I really was. It was a tough few years and my real self struggled to break through. I asked the Lord to show me what was holding me back and as clear as I could understand, the word fear came out. It kind of came out as a shock, but then made so much sense. Then I read a book called Changes That Heal and it only confirmed so many things. I always held my emotions in check and now I was an emotional wreck. The more I learned about the real me, the more I could see that I was my mom and that she was not the woman I thought she was. She was being who she had to be to survive. One day, I told her I knew what she liked and she looked amazed and asked how I knew. I told her, "because I am just like you" "we hide our emotions so we can be strong and in control" Thankfully mom and I became closer because a few years after that she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. I look back and see she was a strong woman but insecurities still controlled her and kept her from really enjoying life. I do know her family was everything to her. I understand that and that is what I want to keep as my focus. I want my family to see that I am a strong woman...of God. I really feel like I have failed in that area in many ways. But I also know that it does not mean I can't change. I just have to be willing to keep trying and that takes endurance. Endurance with the help of God and not on my own power.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/endurance
I looked up the word endurance and this is what it says. [en-doo r-uh ns, -dyoo r-]
noun
1.the fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships, etc.
2.the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, persevering stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina:
3.lasting quality; duration:
Then I looked up Synonyms 1. See patience.
1. composure, stability, self-possession; submissiveness, sufferance. Patience, endurance, fortitude, stoicism imply qualities of calmness, stability, and persistent courage in trying circumstances.

So strength goes along with endurance. I have had a big struggle since I lost my dad in Feb. of 2013. The one person that made me feel totally safe and secure was gone. It was so hard to deal with it at times that I just wanted to not be alive anymore. But I knew I had to because I had my family and that is what my dad said to hold to. My earthly dad was gone and I had to hold on to my heavenly Father. It was a battle for sure because for the first time I questioned my life in general. I was thinking, what's the use. When dad died, I saw my life clock ticking away. I made it through the first year, but things seemed to get harder. We put our house up for sale that was stressful on our marriage. Then my FIL got sick and my husband who already spent a lot of time with his family was gone even more. We bickered a lot and for the first time in my marriage, I actually thought it would be easier not to be married anymore. I knew it was the fear of abandonment creeping up again. Marriage is a commitment and I believe in that. But there has to be more to it and I saw us drifting apart. His dad passed away and even as I write this, the funeral is 2 days away. But I know he will be busy with his mom. I really believe that God is telling me that I need to endure. But not just on an emotional/physical sense. But firstly in the spiritual sense. It means that I have to keep my mind focused on God and draw my strength in Him.

VERSES

James 1:3-5Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of [a]the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.

James 1:2-4 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Colossians 1:11 ESV
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

Isaiah 40:31 ESV
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

A Strong Woman

Bible Hub, Parallel Verses, Endurance

The Bible on Endurance







About One Word

One small word can make one big difference. You can pack a lot into just one word. No matter how busy or stressed you are, or how many distractions and obligations are fighting for your attention, it's easy to remember one word — and believe it or not, one word has the power to impact your life so much more than a laundry list of resolutions. Research shows that nearly 90 percent of New Year's resolutions fail, 50 percent within the first month, but the right word will drive and motivate you to be your best for the entire year. Different people will pick different words for different reasons, but the key is finding a single word that is meant for you. When you're open to it and reflect on it & pray about it, a word will come to you that is meant to shape you.

Your one word represents the essence of what you want to accomplish during the year, but instead of burdening you with a list of tasks to do, it keeps you focused on an overarching concept of how to be. No matter what slings and arrows life throws your way, your one word can endure and adapt. One word sticks. It's straightforward. It doesn't leave room for confusion or excuses. You don't have an entire list like you do with 'resolutions'.

Want to give it a try again? Here are some tips to find your one word,and put it into action: Ponder the possibilities. Make some time to reflect and pray about it. Think about some positive changes you'd like to see in your life, bad habits you'd like to break, and goals you have for yourself. Look inward and ask important questions like, 'What do I need? What do I want? What is in the way? What do I need to focus on? Then see if any common values or themes or specific words bubble up.
Listen to your gut. Don't over think it. The point isn't to make your word sound impressive. But it should have significance for you.
Visualize it in real life. Consider what it might look like in practice, and visualize it affecting your life. Be open-minded and push yourself to think beyond the word's obvious definition. Chances are its influence will be wider than you first thought.

Create reminders. If you keep your one word in front of you, it will stay at the forefront of your mind where the Lord can use it can guide your attitude and actions. That could be as simple as a sticky note on your bathroom mirror. Or you could get creative. Some have turned their words into jewelry, engraved them into wood displays for their desk at work, or made paintings with them.

Enlist support. Like fitness in general, doing the "One Word" process with others can be fun and raise your odds of following through. Consider brainstorming and sharing your word with your family & friends.

Capture your word in action. Keep a record of how your word influences your life throughout the year. That could be a journal or blog. Look back on those successes when you need a boost. This time next year, that record will be a great tool to take stock.
The bottom line is that you want to pick a word that's going to wake you up every morning and get you moving towards the goals of that word.

The Lord can use your word to change your life in ways you never thought a single word could accomplish.

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