The Steadfast Life: Thoughts on Suffering

​Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
- Romans 5:3-5

​Steadfastness, what is this word in the context of the Bible and thusly the Christian walk? The words used here in James and Romans, respectively, are Ὑπομονὴ and ‘Υπομονήν. These two words are different cases of the same verb, ‘Υπομένω, which translates somewhat into the English verbs “to endure” or “to be patient.”

There are two slight differences in the cases of the word when used in the above verses, but they are inconsequential for the application or truth they portray; however, as a linguist, I cannot go without painting the picture of the differences. The cases are simple. In James, the word is in a “nominal case,”  which simply means that it is a verb yet instead is functioning as a noun within the sentence (given that it is the subject of the sentence.) secondly, in Paul’s Romans, it is simply being used as the direct object, or, in Koine Greek, the “accusative case.”

But given that the differences in the usages of these words are minimal, we can conjure from them a unified utility. So, I return to my initial question: What is steadfastness in relation to the Christian walk? It is the fruit of suffering. I quite often think of the metaphor of the clam and the pearl as a comparison to the Christ-like life. Sand torments the clam for years and years, causing the small muscle great pressure and agony, but, in this process, in the end of the time a pearl is born. It's the same with us. Agony, trial, suffering, torment, these are all things present in a Christian life, for it is in this moment that we echo Jesus’ “pick up your cross and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24) There is no Christianity outside of suffering.

​What then? Are we to suffer? Are we cast out into the tides? No. That is the wrong question. It is less “Why do we suffer?” and more “How will I endure my suffering?” Remember that Christ was persecuted. So why should we expect any less? This is where steadfastness comes in; this is where patience is key. Steadfastness is when one is faced with suffering, tragedy, and injustice and looks to Him. It is the example of Job and the literary metaphor of Matthew 14, that when waves crash around us, we will stand tall above them, and if we keep our eyes upon Jesus, His promise, His strength, His love, and the Holy Spirit within us, then our troubles will forever be beneath our feet. Paul puts it excellently: in suffering, we must be patient and faithfully place our future in His hands. This produces “endurance,” patience, and trust in the Lord Almighty. From here, this trust in Him permeates from our hearts, seeps into our veins, and creates “character,” or a faithful spirit, Christ-like and upright; and it is from this that hope is born, which is the quality that all may see and feel. Give yourself to Jesus, for his burden is light, and through the darkest of times, only He can illuminate the night.