Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:2-4 (NLV)

 

According to studies, many believers are less resilient than they previously were, and their inability to deal with life's problems has had a substantial impact on their faith and mental health. They prefer a comfortable and manageable faith over one based on Christ's ultimate truth, which extends beyond the imagination.

They see their Christian life as more of a rescue than a relationship. They will turn to Jesus as their Saviour to save them, but they will not follow Him as their Lord. In other words, they regard faith as a quick fix for everything bad, rather than a test of patience and perseverance.

When we face challenges that put our faith to the test, the Apostle James says we should rejoice. If our faith is true, we will not only persevere in the face of adversity, but we will also grow stronger as a result.

True faith produces endurance.

Endurance is the fruit of a genuine and intimate relationship with God. It means having both inward and outward strength to face any difficulty while remaining confidence in who Christ is and who you are in Him. Then you will realise faith is not a power you use to move God, but rather God's power moving you.

Life may be full of hardships, but God will use them to strengthen you so that you may fully surrender everything to Him. Then, no matter where life takes you, you have a life that is both blessed and deeply rewarding because Christ has promised never to forget or forsake you.