James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…
1 Peter 1: 6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
If you’ve ever started a new exercise program or prepared for a physical challenge, you know that the training brings some pain (suffering) as you build muscle and increase physical endurance (no pain/no gain).
God promises that the pain and perseverance we experience through trials produce in us a spiritual endurance. As we persevere, our endurance increases. We gain strength to withstand even more. That sustained strength leads to a mature character which results in a transformed paradigm, a new perspective. That transformation brings hope in any situation.
If our desire is to experience a ‘tough’ hope that stands up to our trials, we need to develop a mature character that comes through endurance. Our endurance is directly determined by the training we acquire through perseverance. By recognizing suffering as an opportunity to gain strength it leads to a hope that we can rejoice in.
How can we consider it pure joy when trials come our way? Although joy is not usually our initial response to trials, by shifting our focus it can be. Certainly we can recall at our lowest points we have been tempted to be angry, depressed, grieved or otherwise discontent. How did we overcome these temptations? Through prayer, supplication and belief. These challenges were an opportunity for God to help us overcome them by building our faith, maturity and confidence. Our transformed character, developed through trials, can bring us joy and reveal God’s glory to others. He reminds us all to, “fear not for He is with us”. These “forty days of praise” are an opportunity taking time to thank God for what His Son has done for us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father prepare our hearts to trust you first when difficulty comes, to remember your faithfulness and be thankful that our obedience is building character and giving You glory.
Mike & Sarah Gill
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