Toughness
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Definition and Context:
Toughness, in a biblical sense, refers to the quality of enduring hardship, adversity, and trials with steadfast faith and resilience. It is the ability to withstand challenges and remain firm in one's convictions and trust in God. This concept is closely related to perseverance, endurance, and strength, which are frequently addressed in Scripture.

Biblical Examples and Teachings:

1. Job's Endurance:
The account of Job is a profound example of toughness. Despite losing his wealth, health, and family, Job remained steadfast in his faith. He questioned and struggled, yet he did not curse God. Job's resilience is highlighted in Job 1:21-22 : "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Through his trials, Job exemplifies toughness by maintaining his integrity and trust in God.

2. Paul's Perseverance:
The Apostle Paul faced numerous hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks. His toughness is evident in his letters, where he often speaks of enduring for the sake of the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 , Paul recounts his sufferings, yet he remains committed to his mission. His resilience is further emphasized in Philippians 4:13 : "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

3. Jesus' Suffering and Sacrifice:
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of toughness. He endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). His willingness to suffer and die for humanity's sins demonstrates unparalleled strength and resilience. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed fervently, yet submitted to the Father's will, saying, "Not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

4. Encouragement to Believers:
The Bible encourages believers to develop toughness in their spiritual walk. James 1:2-4 states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." This passage highlights the importance of enduring trials to grow in faith and character.

5. The Armor of God:
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the Armor of God, which equips believers to stand firm against spiritual challenges. The passage begins with the exhortation, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10). The armor symbolizes the spiritual toughness required to withstand the schemes of the devil and remain faithful.

Theological Implications:
Toughness is not merely a human trait but is deeply rooted in one's relationship with God. It is through reliance on God's strength and grace that believers can endure trials. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to develop resilience, enabling them to face life's challenges with courage and faith. Toughness is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the sustaining presence of God in the believer's life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The quality or state of being tough.
Strong's Hebrew
5326. nitsbah -- firmness
... 5325, 5326. nitsbah. 5327 . firmness. Transliteration: nitsbah Phonetic
Spelling: (nits-baw') Short Definition: toughness. Word ...
/hebrew/5326.htm - 6k

766. oren -- fir, cedar
... ash. From the same as 'Aran (in the sense of strength); the ash tree (from its
toughness) -- ash. see HEBREW 'Aran. 765, 766. oren. 767 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/766.htm - 6k

Library

Mr. Bernard Shaw
... poet. As for his bluffness and toughness and appeals to common sense, all
that is, of course, simply the first trick of rhetoric. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/iv mr bernard shaw.htm

The Heart-Strings of God.
... It was man's going away that stretched the heart out till the strings grew. The
tragedy of sin revealed the toughness and tenderness of love. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the heart-strings of god.htm

Change not Always Improvement.
... was effected by balsam and fenugreek-salve: I suppose the mane, too, submitted to
the comb) for fear of getting her tender neck imbued with lionly toughness. ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iv change not always improvement.htm

Whether the Body of Man was Given an Apt Disposition?
... Reply to Objection 2: Horns and claws, which are the weapons of some animals, and
toughness of hide and quantity of hair or feathers, which are the clothing of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the body of man.htm

The Education of the World.
... And the people whose extraordinary toughness of nature has enabled it to outlive
Egyptian Pharaohs, and Assyrian kings, and Roman Caesars, and Mussulman caliphs ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/the education of the world.htm

Thesaurus
Toughness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of being tough.
Multi-Version Concordance Toughness (1 Occurrence). Daniel 2:41 ...
/t/toughness.htm - 6k

Tour (1 Occurrence)

/t/tour.htm - 7k

Reaping (10 Occurrences)
... Even where the sickle is used, much of the grain comes up by the roots, owing to
the toughness of the dried stalks or the dullness of the sickle. ...
/r/reaping.htm - 13k

Strength (517 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Power to resist force; solidity or toughness; the quality of bodies by which
they endure the application of force without breaking or yielding; -- in ...
/s/strength.htm - 38k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 14:16, the Revised Version (British and American) "little owl," the
King James Version "owl." This must have referred to the toughness of grown ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Touching (121 Occurrences)

/t/touching.htm - 37k

Resources
What does it mean to set your face like flint in Isaiah 50:7? | GotQuestions.org

Toughness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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