Growing Through Trials
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." - James 1:2–3
No one enjoys difficult seasons because we instinctively run from pain and discomfort. However, God uses these very things to develop spiritual muscle. Just like physical exercise requires resistance to build strength, our faith requires trials to develop perseverance.
James does not say "if" you face trials; he says "whenever." Difficulties are an unavoidable part of the human experience. But for believers, they serve a redemptive purpose. Every trial is an opportunity to discover God's faithfulness in a deeper way. When we are squeezed by life, what comes out of us reveals what is truly inside. Trials purify our motives and strengthen our trust. What feels like a setback to you might actually be a setup for a comeback in God's hands because He is more interested in your character than your comfort.
Some of my greatest spiritual growth happened during my most challenging seasons. There was a year where I faced health issues and financial stress simultaneously, and I felt abandoned. But looking back, I learned to pray with a desperation and intimacy I had never known before. When everything I was leaning on was stripped away, I learned that Christ is a solid rock. I wouldn't trade that growth for anything, though I wouldn't want to go through the pain again.
If you are facing a trial right now, ask God to show you what He wants to teach you through it rather than just asking Him to remove it. If you are in a peaceful season, thank Him and prepare your heart for future growth by grounding yourself in His Word.
Lord, I admit I do not enjoy trials, but I trust that You use them for my good. Help me to see difficulties as opportunities to experience Your faithfulness. Strengthen my faith through every test. In Jesus' name, Amen.
No one enjoys difficult seasons because we instinctively run from pain and discomfort. However, God uses these very things to develop spiritual muscle. Just like physical exercise requires resistance to build strength, our faith requires trials to develop perseverance.
James does not say "if" you face trials; he says "whenever." Difficulties are an unavoidable part of the human experience. But for believers, they serve a redemptive purpose. Every trial is an opportunity to discover God's faithfulness in a deeper way. When we are squeezed by life, what comes out of us reveals what is truly inside. Trials purify our motives and strengthen our trust. What feels like a setback to you might actually be a setup for a comeback in God's hands because He is more interested in your character than your comfort.
Some of my greatest spiritual growth happened during my most challenging seasons. There was a year where I faced health issues and financial stress simultaneously, and I felt abandoned. But looking back, I learned to pray with a desperation and intimacy I had never known before. When everything I was leaning on was stripped away, I learned that Christ is a solid rock. I wouldn't trade that growth for anything, though I wouldn't want to go through the pain again.
If you are facing a trial right now, ask God to show you what He wants to teach you through it rather than just asking Him to remove it. If you are in a peaceful season, thank Him and prepare your heart for future growth by grounding yourself in His Word.
Lord, I admit I do not enjoy trials, but I trust that You use them for my good. Help me to see difficulties as opportunities to experience Your faithfulness. Strengthen my faith through every test. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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6 Comments
It has definitely been trying. I guess I’ve kinda been on easy street for the past few years. It seemed like I was faced with all the same trials anyone else would go through during that time but my faith was strong. Like real strong. So those difficulties weren’t really that bad looking back. But now. Whew. Having some things that certainly seem like a test happening. Still on this trip to New Mexico working. Circumstances tough but a lot of stuff has been happening to make it much more difficult. However, God has made sure that I am able to continue despite those problems. Mentally I know better but my faith? Wow. I had forgotten what it was like living when that comforting trust wasn’t there. That’s the hardest part of all this is I am having to battle my own mind without that assurance from within comforting me. The Holy Spirit is still showing me He is here and everything but that feeling just isn’t there. So I choose to leave it at the feet of our Savior Jesus Christ today. Hopefully I do better than yesterday. Thank you for sharing this Pastor. Everyone chiming in here also helps so thanks to you guys as well. I wish it was easy but wouldn’t be the first time i wished for something that wasn’t any good for me lol. Love you guys. Thank you for your prayers.
I trust in YOU Lord?? help me. I need you Lord ??
Praying for you Susan
Praying for you, Susan. ??
Praying for you Susan
Thank you, Pastor. I appreciate your leadership and how you are so down to earth and how your remain ‘real’ as as a Jesus did when he walked the earth.
n
nAs a born-again Christian, my walk hasn't always been easy—especially when it comes to financial battles. I’ve lived through seasons of 'much' and seasons of 'not enough.' For a long time, I found myself asking God, 'Why?'
nBut through the Holy Spirit, my perspective has shifted. Now, I ask: 'Lord, what do You want me to learn?' I’ve realized that my struggle isn't a punishment; it’s a preparation. Looking back at my childhood—being raised by a single parent, hardworking father alongside my three siblings and wanting what others had—I see now how God was building my character. I’m actually grateful for those hard times today, because they taught me that our stay on earth is temporary. It isn’t by my might or power, but by His Spirit that I’ve made it through. We are here to be ambassadors for Jesus, using our scars to show others that there is hope and eternal life ahead.
n
"I felt abandoned." Thank you, Pastor Ed, for being so honest in sharing that particular low point in your journey of faith. I am currently in an ongoing battle with the "voice" that tries to convince me that I have been abandoned by God during a very long season of unrelenting trials (2 years now) with no sign of a breakthrough in sight. I was reminded yesterday that the evil one uses the "3 Ds" to keep us from finding, knowing and fully relying on God, His goodness and His love: distractions, deceptions and discouragement. Discouragement seems to be the evil one's preferred tool. I have learned to pray with the level of desperation that you mentioned, Pastor Ed, along with a new level of humility and daily (sometimes hourly) prayers of trust and submission to God: His will, His way, His timing. He is the God who created the heavens and earth, all things that are seen and unseen. Along with all the magnificent and awesome things that He created, He also created me and I KNOW that He loves me. He is a good God who never changes. When I remind myself of all those things, the heavy fog of discouragement is lifted and God's grace gives me the strength to keep going. Reading your confession of feeling abandoned by God during one of your own difficult seasons reinforced that the feeling of abandonment is nothing new or specific to me - others (even pastors) have experienced it, too. The evil one wants us to walk away from God when we feel abandoned. I am so grateful that every time that I go through a season of trials, I end up turning TO God more and more, rather than walking away from Him. As much as I instinctively would prefer an easier life (a much easier one!) without mistakes/setbacks/trials, if an easier life meant that I did NOT have this closer, more authentic, relationship with my beloved God, how could I possibly choose that easier life over Him? I couldn't. I could no sooner give up that relationship than I could give up breathing air to stay alive. Pastor Ed, your "daily devos" are a vital resource for someone like me - I thank God for you!