James 1:2-3 (NLT) 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Earthly trouble is a testing of your faith.

James 1:2-3 …when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested…

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.

John 3:15-16 (CEV)Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life. 16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.

I Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 

People of faith face trials differently.

Romans 5:6, 8-10 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 

Seasons of trouble, should produce seasons of growth.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. –

Seasons of trouble should remind us of our need for the cross.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT)8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters,[b] about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[e] being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

A growing faith should have impact on those around you.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

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James 1:4 (NLT) So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Matthew 16:18 (NLT) …and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

- What trials are you dealing with right now that God may be wanting to use to strengthen you?

- How can you change your mindset from these trials being a “burden to bear” to being an “opportunity to grow”?

- What specific aspects of your faith do you need to pray and ask for God’s wisdom and help? 

James 1:5 (NLT) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

What does it look like for you to endure or persevere in this season?