Faith when life gets hard. #trials #faith #podcast

Throughout the New Testament, believers are urged to view problems and trials from a heavenly perspective. James says we ought to consider our troubles “an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2) because they produce in us a character quality that is key to staying the course and finishing well: “The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3–4). The word translated as “perseverance” here (hypomonēn in the original Greek) means “the power to withstand hardship or stress, especially the inward fortitude necessary to endure.” Other translations render this noun “steadfastness” (ESV), “endurance” (NLT, CSB), and “patience” (KJV, NKJV). The testing of our faith produces the power and inner stamina necessary to patiently endure hardship and persecution and grow into spiritual maturity. In a parallel teaching, the apostle Paul asserts, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Romans 5:3, NLT). The apostle Peter echoes the sentiment: “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world” (1 Peter 4:13, NLT). The writer of Hebrews explains, “For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised” (Hebrews 10:36, HCSB).