1. Endurance Endurance vs. Discouragement
The inward strength to withstand stress and do my best.

2. How does a person do their best in today’s society without the stress?
1. Never say you will do what you can’t accomplish.
2. Surround yourself with people that can get things done. Getting behind in something can cause much stress.
3. Always do what is right and you won’t have to stress about it. Sometimes we are pushed to do a lot because a lot needs to get done. Do what you can and when you can, and stop when you are done.

3. Endurance is spiritual
To keep going when you feel that you have no more energy takes an inner calling.
To take a beating and keep on going back into the daily fight, this is a spiritual strength that a person can have.
To be able to love others when we feel hated is a gift from God to endure until the end.

4. Secret to keeping endurance
Always run the race to win. See the goal and run towards it. When you get tired, keep a steady pace and set your eyes on the goal.
Only take responsibility for what you can change. The things that you can’t change can’t be allowed to discourage you.

5. Know that there is a prize for doing what is right.
Hope: hope for the best, and don’t be attached to the result.
Faith: have faith in what you are doing, and why you are doing it.
Love: love the people that you are doing it with, love the idea, and love the challenge.

6. Endurance takes one step at a time
As we continue the race, we need to have support and encouragement. Thus, find someone to stand by you in your challenge.
Find positive people to run with you.
Work as a team and let every team member do what they do the best.

7. Commitment Never neglect your family when making plans.
Make the best with what you have.
Always afford what you are doing. Count the cost before committing to it.
Search out the best advice.
Know when to go forward and when to stop.
Complete a commitment before starting something else.

8. A pearl is an irritation that stuck in there.
The best things in life are those things we learned to endure. Through tribulation and trials, our roots will go deep and we grow tall.
The manner and character in which one endures is more important than the thing that must be endured.

9. Stress is a part of life
Take steps to resolve the stress before the stress dissolves you.
Avoid taking the stress out on the family, friends or people you work with.
Recognize your limits, and communicate your needs, ask for a break before you get broken.

10. Discouragement
Troubles and weeds thrive on a lack of attention. Know that you are discouraged because some of your needs are unmet.
Discouragement comes when the courage is gone. Stop and re-examine your goal.
Most people don’t put their best foot forward until the other one is in hot water. If you start to feel discouraged, you must first get out of the hot water.

11. Key to not being discouraged
Make a list of all the blessings in your life, and not adding up all your troubles.
Remember the tea pot; though up to its neck in hot water, it still continues to sing.
It is not so much the greatness of our troubles but the lack of character which causes us to complain and bring us to ruins. Check your own character!

12. Two ways to meet difficulties
1. Alter the difficulties
2. Alter yourself to meet them.
Difficulties in life are intended to make us better not bitter!

13. Spiritually
How else would a person ever know if his faith was weak or strong unless it has been tried and tested. Count it an honor to endure life to make the spirit stronger.
Remember: when the flesh is real weak, the spirit becomes stronger and the willingness to endure becomes greater.

14. Comment
A person that can endure much is an optimist. But have you ever realized that the optimist is always able to see the bright side of other peoples troubles?
Mt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

15. WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF GOING THROUGH HELL, KEEP WALKING.
Closing
WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF GOING THROUGH HELL, KEEP WALKING.
Pastor Tim Remington

16. (Role play would be great!!)
Group
A prominent man in the community was trying to help a woman in distress. He had served the community for years and his integrity was above reproach. The woman didn’t get the help that she wanted from him which included back rent for
She then decided to spread a rumor about the man that would destroy him.
He now feels like quitting everything. He is real discouraged, and comes to you as a friend.
What will you say?
(Role play would be great!!)