I was challenged to choose a “Word of the Year”. Apparently this has been a common practice for many over the years, but I never really took much note until this year. A few writing friends and a few Christian celebrities have been vocal in interviews and on social media on words they have chosen for themselves. The word they select will supposedly help them focus on the year ahead. One writer chose “determination” to help her finish a book for publication. Candace Cameron Bure @candacecbure chose “joy” to guide her through any challenging times she might face this year.

I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s Resolutions or “bucket lists”. I don’t want to feel like a failure if I don’t keep the resolutions (which inevitably happens), or if I don’t complete all the bucket list goals before I die.

“Does it mean I’ve failed at life if I don’t do all the things on my bucket list?” I asked my son-in-law sardonically.

“Yes. Yes it does.” He replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

When I listened to the interview with Bure, she quoted the verse from James 1:2-4 (NLT) “² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” It actually surprised me after quoting that passage that she said her word for this year was “joy”, because I was completely focused on the word “endurance”.

In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I could not get the word “endure” out of my mind. More passages in scripture came to mind: James 1:12; Matthew 24:13; Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 10:36. All with similar calls to endure, to remain steadfast under trial because endurance produces godly character that basks in a personal relationship with Jesus that ultimately leads to salvation.

It’s enduring under “trial” that is disconcerting. What kinds of trials must I endure this year? Can I “endure” without trials? I don’t think of trials as something positive. Trials have negative connotations, however in the biblical sense, all trials we face as Christians will bring about positive results if we see them as “opportunities for great joy”.

When I think about it, enduring through hardships, be they big or small, requires all the fruits of the Spirit working in unison. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control should be evident whenever I face challenges in health, relationships, and a myriad of other life challenges.

So, my word is ENDURE. May I cultivate the fruits of the spirit by spending time with God, in His Word, in prayer, and running with endurance the race set before me this year.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2. (NKJV)