For many years I have supported Voice of the Martyrs which serves persecuted Christians throughout the world. One thing I have learned is that thousands of believers around the world are literally tortured or killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

The following is one of the many stories I have read from VOM:

On Aug. 7, 2021, Pastor Wang Xiaoguang and other leaders of the Linfen church — including his wife, Yang Rongli — were arrested in Shanxi Province, China. They were accused of fraud, which is how the Chinese Communist Party characterizes the collection of tithes in the church.

After almost four years of detention, Pastor Wang Xiaoguang was sentenced to nine years and seven months in prison. In a separate trial, Yang Rongli was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Together, they face fines of 2.3 million CNY, or more than $320,000 USD.

Wang Xiaoguang’s son reported that his father considered it “a great honor” to be put on trial for the Lord, and his mother called the sentence “a great crown given to me by God.”

Wang Xiaoguang like so many persecuted Christians learned to endure through poverty, hardship, suffering, unfairness, and hostility. These persecuted Christians have an eternal mindset, and they are willing to endure until the day they meet Jesus face-to-face.

Perhaps you have chosen a word for the year as you journey along the path of Christian faith in 2026. I am not one to choose a word for the year, and I am certainly not opposed to those who do. Listen to God and walk according to what He impresses in your spirit.

I do have a word for the rest of my journey until I meet Jesus Christ face-to-face. I want to be a believer who has learned to endure. I want to stay faithful to God no matter what this year brings or what future years bring. I want to be a woman who knows how to endure until I see the promises of God fulfilled.

Hebrews 10:36 says, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” The Christians in Hebrews had faced so much hardship, and some of them were about ready to give up. They and we need endurance.

I challenge you to read stories from Voice of the Martyrs. In the United States, we rarely are imprisoned or killed because of our faith. Yet, every Christian will experience trials that might include unexpected financial situations, horrendous suffering, family breakdowns, or the pressure to conform to unbiblical values. Like the Christians addressed in Hebrews, we may feel tempted to leave Christianity or “deconstruct” to a compromised version of the faith. The words of Jesus, His apostles, and the book of Hebrews ring true today. We need endurance as much as the Christians of the first century.

Let me just sing it to you, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

We must be people who know how to endure.

How do we endure trials? By our own strength? Hardly. Before Jesus’ arrest, the disciples believed their human effort would help them stand firm, but they abandoned Jesus in Gethsemane (Mark 14:50). Later, they all endured great persecution and remained unshaken in their faith. What made the difference? The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. The gospel and the Spirit give us the strength to endure.

The early apostles faced intense opposition for preaching the gospel, yet they remained steadfast in their commitment to obey God rather than men. Their courage came from a deep conviction that Jesus Christ was the risen Savior and that His message needed to be shared, regardless of the consequences. They learned to endure.

Prayer:

“Father, give me the courage to endure through the trials of life, knowing that they can lead to growth and transformation. Help me to see each trial as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than as a setback or failure. As I journey through life, please help me to build endurance. May the challenges I face help me to become more like you, growing in wisdom, faith, and love. May the hope that comes from endurance fill my heart and inspire me to keep moving forward, even when the way seems uncertain. God, I know I cannot do this on my own. Be with me, granting me the endurance I need to overcome any obstacle. Thank you for your love, your grace, and your unwavering presence in my life. May the endurance that comes from trusting in you strengthen me today and always.” Amen