Proverbs 24
If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. Proverbs 24:10 NKJV
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Proverbs 24:10 NIV
Having a godly perspective when undergoing trials in life makes all the difference. Although it is not easy, enduring hardship is actually beneficial for us. Difficult circumstances will highlight areas of weakness, so that we know what we need to work on. “For you, God, tested us; You refined us like silver” (Psalm 66:10). Undergoing hard times will increase our dependence on God and will ultimately help us become one step closer to reaching our goal of developing Christ-like character. The inevitable trials that we will all face as we go through life will make us stronger, teach us patience, and will bulk up our faith “muscles.” Solid, genuine faith is something that takes time to develop, and it can only increase through repeated use. So when do we get a chance to use our faith so it can grow? When we are undergoing testing and trials! If everything in life was easy and smooth all the time, we would all have weak or non-existent faith. We would not feel like we needed God. We would not be compelled to pray. We would have superficial, feeble character that would crumble easily under pressure. This is not how God created us to be. He created us to be strong, loving, Spirit-filled people who know to turn to Him whenever we need help. He created us to have faith that continues to grow and mature as we persevere through struggles and tests. He created us to be so resilient that we can even live with joy and peace in the midst of trials. This is not possible without faith in our One and Only God. 1 Peter 1:6-8 says: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” Using our faith to persevere through trials will strengthen us and prepare us to be able to handle even bigger problems in the future. As an example, look at what God told Jeremiah, after Jeremiah complained about the Israelites’ unfavorable circumstances: “If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5, NLT). God never promises that we will not face adversities. He does promise His help, His guidance, His power, and His strength to come to the aid of those who place their trust in Him:
Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Psalm 33:20 – “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.”
Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 37:40 – “The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.”
Isaiah 41:10, NKJV – “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
So join us in viewing our struggles and problems with a Biblical perspective. Trials are an opportunity for growth, and should not lead to discouragement and despair. Imagine your weaknesses being strengthened. Think of the Fruit of the Spirit blossoming within you (“…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5:22-23). Envision how much better equipped you will be to face even bigger challenges in the future. Picture how you are learning to maintain your joy and peace regardless of your circumstances.
Delight in the fact that you are strengthening your faith and learning how to depend on your Savior, the One who said: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, NKJV).