Each one of us has a plan that God has allowed in our lives, which may include suffering, loss, disease, disabilities, abuse, hardship, rejection, and persecution, and you are left with asking God many questions: Why? How long? and Where are You? After your battle is over, and the dust settles, you will have your answers and even wonder how you are still standing in victory amid the scars and wounds you bare.

Before endurance, we must have faith, and our faith is what enables us to endure. As believers, we may experience life events that seem to destroy us at the core of our being, causing us to faint and lose hope.

As you read these chapters, your perspective of the events in your life, in the lives of your family and friends will change. You will be encouraged to have faith and endure every situation, knowing the Lord has never left you nor forsaken you. God's love for you is so great, which causes us to endure because His plans for us are good and our hope is in Him.

aEURoeHow do you stand during the trials and tribulations that are experienced during the course of your life? God gives you endurance and encouragement so that you ultimately glorify HimaEUR (Romans 15:5aEUR"6, NIV).

Authors: PATRICIA L. BROWN, VIVIAN G. CHRISTOPHER, INELL RICHARDSON CLAYPOOL, NORMA GUERRANT, VEARDEAN JACKSON, REGINA JOHNSTON, and SARAH N. MILLNER