Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
When athletes train, they must prepare both mentally and physically for the challenge ahead. If you train physically but don’t prepare mentally, it is easy to give up when challenged. If all you do is prepare mentally, your body can’t keep up with what you demand of it. Intentionality and determination are required for athletes, and we need those same skills when facing trials. Enduring trials does not happen casually and holding onto our faith through trying times does not come naturally. Looking to Christ as our hope is not our default response. There is a blessing for those in Christ who persevere under trial. It is not easy, but it is worth it.
When we face trials, it is easy to try and find a way out or pray the challenges away. While God does provide in that way at times, He often provides through the trial, even when circumstances don’t change, by growing our endurance and trust in Him. In John 16:33, Jesus encouraged His disciples with these words, “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Jesus’s encouragement wasn’t the absence of trials but His presence through trials. He has not left you to figure life out on your own. Through the Holy Spirit, He will guide you, and as He equips you, you can persevere—not by your own strength but through dependence on His.
- What are some hard things you are facing right now? How are you trying to handle them?
- What does it look like to persevere in life’s trials? How does Christ equip us for this?
- Pray and tell God about the trials and difficulty you are facing.
