Endurance: The Weaker the Better (Audio Only)

In this soul-piercing episode, DL the lowLIFE reveals the upside-down truth of the Kingdom: your weakness is your weapon. Real endurance doesn’t come from strength: it comes from surrender. Through Scripture and personal suffering, DL shows how God builds spiritual stamina through brokenness, not bravado.

If you’re worn out, running low, or ready to quit, this one will breathe new life into your faith. Because in God’s economy, the ones who get low are the ones who finish strong.

Topics Covered:

• Why God uses weakness to build strength
• Endurance through spiritual humility
• DL’s personal story of breakdown and breakthrough
• The myth of performance-based Christianity
• James 1 and joy in the trial

Chapters

• 0:02 Living Low
• 1:22 Episode Intro
• 2:18 James 1
• 5:35 Humble Endurance
• 6:11 The Power of Humility and Trust
• 9:18 3 Strikes to Endure
• 14:39 Practical Application
• 15:10 Pause for The Cause: Weekly Challenge

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Welcome to the Low Life Show, a space where we have conversations about the struggles of life, where we declare war on pride and walk humbly into renewed living with a surrendered heart. Where we take our past failures and turn them into a roadmap for you to live in peace and living the low life. Whether you're working through personal struggles or simply seeking a fresh perspective, this podcast will inspire and equip you to live low and let God lift you up. I'm your host, dl the Low Life, a reformed professional dirtbag who's here to tell you that I now live a life of peace, transformed through humility. Join me. Let's get low what's good.

Speaker 1: 1:23

Welcome back to the Low Life Show. I am DL the Low Life, and today we're talking about endurance, cardio required for the low life. Let's be real Life is hard. You're going to face storms that test your faith. Your patience will be tested and, as a result, your commitment to living low will too. Remaining humble is the thing to do. How do we do that? Because living low doesn't mean giving up. It means leaning on God for strength to endure. Remember in our weakness he makes us strong because it's his strength, it's his work within us. So let's talk about how humility helps us stay grounded and faithful when life feels overwhelming. Let's get into it.

Speaker 1: 2:38

We start in James 1, verse 2. Let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, for that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James tells us to consider it pure joy in the face of trials. Sounds kind of counterintuitive. Right, that's not our natural reaction. Joy and trials. But he explains that trials produce perseverance and perseverance makes us complete. Let's talk about that. So, in order to consider it pure joy when we're going through things that suck doesn't make any sense. And then he says various trials too. So in context, it's not just your everyday struggle, we could even look at it as literal trials. Be joyful in court when you're facing a sentencing. Hold up. What about the murderer facing life? Right, well, it still applies to him, only he has to give his life over to Jesus, repent and be saved.

Speaker 1: 3:59

First. It's a testing of faith. James writes this addressing the believer. It doesn't say we're going to get things to go our way, though. Why is that? It says that this is a testing of your faith that produces endurance, meaning you'll be more equipped for the long game.

Speaker 1: 4:16

The next part is crucial to see and understand. It says that endurance, if you allow it to become complete, leads to a lack of nothing. You won't need anything. You'll have all you need. You might be asking why or how right If I go through a bunch of crap, that makes me better for it.

Speaker 1: 4:32

Remember it's God who carries you. He carries you through each storm, his word says. Though you are pressed on every side, you're not given over to death. The testing creates and increases dependency on God, confidence that he has you covered. It goes on to give a great promise to us.

Speaker 1: 4:50

When things don't make sense, all you do is ask God If you find yourself lacking wisdom in the storm. God will give you plenty, and he won't fault or shame you for it. Your only requirement is to keep the faith and don't doubt. If you doubt, you can expect nothing from God. This basically says pick a side Faith in God or faith in yourself, or whatever else you want to believe in. Faith in God, expectant faith, has no doubt about Him, what he can do, or that His will always comes to pass. When you do this, you'll find that you come out all the better for it.

Speaker 1: 5:36

So let's talk about where humility fits into all this, how getting low fuels your endurance. First, humility admits weakness. You can't do it alone, and that's perfectly fine. Nobody can, not one of us. God's strength is made perfect in your weakness. In fact, by now you should be eager to admit your weaknesses and your flaws. I mean, I know I am. We've talked about this. I couldn't tell you how liberating it's been for me, though. Freedom. What does it do for God, though? He gets to flex in the only way that matters. God gets to be God.

Speaker 1: 6:11

It's like, consider it like this have you ever opened up one of those mayonnaise jars for a female? You know the glass ones with the metal lids. I won't lie to you, I can't always get those open myself either. So Dudes too. But Opening them for a female, as a man, makes you feel a little bit mmm, a little bit strong, even if you don't admit it. It's a simple, subtle display of strength that also has you feeling like you saved the day. That feeling, that feeling of triumph, of victory. God gets to be God when we're weak and we own it. If you haven't experienced that, get low and trust him. Like, really trust him. It's so simple. For him it's as simple as opening up a jar.

Speaker 1: 6:51

Another aspect is that humility trusts in God's timing. It takes humility to trust anyone or anything outside of yourself. That is a fact. Hear me out, though. It says if there is even a sliver of doubt, just a tiny bit, it's not trust. It's like belief versus faith. People believe in the Easter bunny, santa Claus, or they don't. And even if they don't, somehow they still have presents under the trees. Eggs still get hunted. Faith is required when it comes to God, so it goes with trust. Even the tiniest reservation about him is doubt.

Speaker 1: 7:23

The scripture, from the infallible word of God himself, seems to support one thing Either you trust him or you don't. Remember, though you can make that commitment, but it's going to take some work. Washboard abs don't show up overnight. Even if you take steroids, you still have to put in the work. It takes time. Same with God he moves himself According to his will, according to his plan, according to what pleases him in his time.

Speaker 1: 7:50

Endurance isn't about rushing to the finish line. It's about walking with God step by step, and be mindful. According to James, there can be no doubt you won't be able to fool him. Lastly, humility keeps focused on God.

Speaker 1: 8:04

When you're living low, you're not distracted by pride or self-pity. You're focused on God's faithfulness. You've heard me say this a bunch by now. God absolutely has to remain in view. When he's not, pride will tell you he looks like you. Pride will have you taking credit for things that aren't yours to take. Pride says look how amazing you are and you didn't need anybody or anything. That's all you chief. Humility says no matter how great my achievements are, I can only do them because of God.

Speaker 1: 8:33

The low life is a God-centric, god-encompassed way of life. He's the beginning and the end, the middle and the surrounding environment. He's all things to a humble heart. So keep him in view, focus on him, even when you feel unfocused. He will right the ship. If the ship is sinking, he'll make it a submarine. Focus on him and you can be sure his peace comes with him. Eventually he'll have hurricanes, feeling like a perfect spring day Clear skies, 74 degrees with a nice, consistent breeze. Keep him in view Always, always.

Speaker 1: 9:15

Now we've talked through a bunch of things here. You know I've been through some storms myself. Every time I could tell you I pretty much wanted to give up. God kept me upright the whole time. This is important to know because I can only see the timeline that I see he may have begun to work in me long before I was born. The point is, his timing breeds patience, and patience is necessary for endurance. It has nothing to do with your muscles or athletic ability.

Speaker 1: 9:38

Each major loss in my life was a long process. Each time God showed himself, it always seemed to be just what I needed to keep going. When I got arrested last time, it was one of those moments I was ready to give up. I got picked up on a probation violation during a routine, quote-unquote home check. That was everything but routine Two PNP officers who weren't assigned to me a few uniforms and a gang of ninja turtles, the green jumpsuit-wearing gang unit cops. I was already feeling defeated with life. I hadn't grieved yet.

Speaker 1: 10:07

I had just finished court-ordered drug court and I was right back to a similar way of coping, this time with alcohol. Not to the point of being an alcoholic, I just really enjoyed the buzz and it was legal. Couple beers, couple shots, good to go. Weed was legal now too. So I was eager to get old Mary Jane back in my life. Now there you go weed and booze winning combo, just enough to take the edge off. The only problem was I still wasn't allowed to. This night I fell asleep before I could get properly trashed and I woke up to a train of circus clowns with badges and guns saying woohoo, it's a party. Talk about a rude awakening. Anyway, they hook me and I'm just like whatever Another day at the office, right Then they start to harass my brother.

Speaker 1: 10:48

My brother doesn't get in trouble. Remember how I told you I didn't forgive people who messed with my family, my loved ones. So that was strike one. Then I get booked into the county jail, irritated but hopeful. I happen to know for a fact that my PO could come down and get me released anytime he felt like it.

Speaker 1: 11:05

I had action to get reinstated. This was the only violation. During damn near a year and a half I was on paper and I mean, I remember in the program a guy popped for heroin and he was back in class in four days. They didn't revoke him, so I waited. It was fine, I could do counting time standing on my head, and then I waited, and then I waited and then finally, the CO calls my name for a visit. So I ask him an attorney visit. Is it personal? When he said I think it's your PO, I started to celebrate. I was about to get up out of there until I got to the room and it was the two chicks who picked me up neither one of them who were my officer. Strike two Fast forward to my court appearance.

Speaker 1: 11:46

Now, mind you, I had four court cases going all at once. I was on probation for all four at one time, tied up in a nice little bow. You know that saying throw the book at them. This is how I felt at the end of this, see. I had gone to three judges already, and each one of them had said reinstate me.

Speaker 1: 12:04

It was down to one, the dishonorable Carolyn Ellsworth. See, during drug court, I was a shining example to her. She was all smiles and how do you do's, and this time, though, her pride was front and center. She did not like that. She felt, played there's court notes of her on record singing my praises, and then here I am, a violator who was doing things I wasn't supposed to do.

Speaker 1: 12:29

Anyway, we're in the courtroom and she's just mean mugging. Then there's the hotshot DA. They'd gone through my phone and he found a picture of drugs sent to me by somebody. Want to know what his statement was? Your Honor, obviously he's selling drugs. Here's a picture of drugs in a bag. So he's clearly got a bunch of drugs bagged up and ready to sale. Wow, it was one bag and it was sent to me.

Speaker 1: 12:55

Anyways, when I got my chance to speak, I was only allowed 45 seconds. Just after watching this guy play make-believe while she was staring a hole into me, I knew it was over. So I reached into my bag of tricks and I pulled out the first rule that I read and learned and was taught and instructed in recovery in her program. I said your Honor, in recovery, relapse is inevitable. Before I could get another word out, she cuts me off and says no, it's not, and I was done. There was no convincing her, there was no reasoning with her, so I was sentenced to penitentiary on that case. She was the only one. Three other judges saw no cause. It had to have been personal, had to have been pride. Who's to say, though? All I know is. It seemed like she got her feelings hurt so she denied me.

Speaker 1: 13:44

As I consider these incidents, I notice one trend. For me, god was not in view. I was doing things I wasn't allowed to, not submitting to the law of the land. I even signed a paper that said I knew the consequence. I was dependent on people in all of these things completely Judges to reinstate me, the PO to get me released, the public pretender to defend me, and then I was leaning on historical data to determine the arrogance of my fate. If it happened with Joe Schmo, it should happen with me, right? This other guy just had the exact same thing happen. So it'll happen exactly the same way, even though we're different people. I didn't take into consideration the pride of the others involved. Why didn't I? My pride was too busy priding for itself All of that to say this.

Speaker 1: 14:29

Endurance isn't about being strong. It's about leaning on the one who is. How would you apply this to your day-to-day? It's simple. Think about a storm you're in. Could be big, could be small. What would it look like to trust God with it? Visualize that, consider it very, very deeply, take time and then bring it to him. Once you know you can trust him, pray for endurance and remind yourself daily that he is in control, even when you don't think so, and then just give over your trust to him. It's that simple.

Speaker 1: 15:10

And now we pause for the cause for our weekly challenge. This week, I challenge you to memorize James 1, verses 2 through 8. Every time you feel like giving up, speak that into your situation. Ask God for strength to endure. Ask him for wisdom to navigate it. Then remind yourself that you are, and have always been weak, and that's okay. Remember the battle isn't with flesh and blood. Muscles have no play here. It's all about accepting that this is what it is and having faith in the one who is strong, no matter what.

Speaker 1: 15:41

God is the only true source of strength. You need Embrace your weakness before him. Get low, then trust him. Let's pray. Father, we thank you for the storm, the opportunity for us to lean on you, the opportunity for our faith to grow, the opportunity to see the joy on the other side of it. We thank you that when we are weak, you are strong and that your grace, the extended favor that you give us, is more than sufficient. Bless the listener. We ask that you would just help them to grow closer to you this week to grow in their endurance, that they may always praise you and always honor you. We love you. We give you thanks In Jesus' name, amen. You thanks in Jesus name, amen. Next week is our season finale and we're going to pull it all together for a powerful message on how to live life low. Until then, stay low, stay blessed and stay ready for the next episode of the Low Life Show, peace. Thank you. Outro Music