There is a growing concern of mine that the evangelical church is being misguided by a movement of hyper-masculinity. Christianity, nationalism, and modern men’s movements are slowly merging into a single ideology—and in doing so, the church is losing its uniqueness.

I hear people say it often: “Christians need to be tough because Jesus was tough…Look, He turned over the tables in the temple.” That moment becomes the primary proof text for Christian strength. But that is not where Scripture ultimately locates our strength.

Christian strength comes from weakness.
Christian strength comes from perseverance.
Christian strength comes from grit.

Christian strength comes from resilience forged through the crucibles of suffering.

• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

• Romans 5:3-4: “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

• Hebrews 12:1-3: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Perseverance is not a side note of the Christian faith; it is one of the core descriptions. The New Testament does not celebrate believers who overpower their enemies, but those who endure. The heroes of the faith are not remembered for dominance, but for faithfulness under pressure. Victory is found through surrender.

The martyrs understood this. They did not win by force. They bore witness by refusing to abandon Christ when it cost them comfort, reputation, freedom, or life itself. Their strength was not in resistance, but in remaining.

Most of us will never face martyrdom. Our perseverance is quieter and smaller – but no less real. It looks like staying faithful in a strained marriage. Saying no when everyone else is saying yes. Continuing to pray when God feels silent. Choosing integrity when it costs professional advancement. Showing gentleness in a culture that rewards outrage.

A person of faith outlasts others. Faith persists.

God’s power does not shine through your unbreakability. It shines through your admitted dependence.