Tuesday: "Trials Are Not the Enemy"

Devotional

Once your foundation is settled, life does not suddenly become easy. In fact, sometimes it gets

harder. That is not a sign that something has gone wrong. It is often a sign that something is going

right.

Growth in faith is not a comfortable process. It is forged in the places where we feel the most

pressure. David knew this. Writing from a place of deep betrayal in Psalm 55, he described the pain of being wounded by someone he trusted completely. And yet, even there, he landed on the same words: "But I will trust in you." That is sanctification. It is not arriving at a place where nothing hurts. It is learning to trust God more deeply because of what you walked through, not in spite of it.

James puts it plainly: the testing of your faith produces patience. That word "produces" matters. Patience is not handed to you. It is built in you, through the very trials you wish would go away.

This is encouraging news. Your hard season is not wasted. God is doing something in you that could not happen any other way. The difficulty you are facing right now is not an obstacle to your growth. It

is the instrument of it.

Bible Verse

'Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.' - James 1:2-3

Reflection Question

Is there a trial in your life right now that you have been resisting instead of allowing God to use it to shape you?

Quote

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Prayer

Father, help me to stop running from the hard things and start trusting that You are at work in them.

Grow my faith through what I am walking through today. Amen.