In a Trial? 5 Things That Will Build Your Endurance

Trials are inevitable.  Bearing them is not.

I’ve been through a lot of trials in my life and, by God’s grace, come through on the other side. 

Here are 5 things that help me “bear up” when passing through a trial:

1.  Discover what JOY really is.

Joy is not an emotion (that’s happiness).  It is a perspective.  It is seeing a trial in an “eternal perspective.”

Paul was in prison in Philippi and sang for joy at midnight in solitary confinement.  He wrote an epistle to the Philippians after that and used the word “rejoice” NINE TIMES!

James said to “count it pure joy when you fall into all kinds of trials” (James 1:2).  Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him.”  Take your trial and place it out into the endless sea of eternity.  You’ll start rejoicing! 

2.  Stand erect and don’t surrender.

Resist that attack.  “Endurance” means to summon within yourself the power of resistance.

Satan’s trials are intended to knock you off your feet.  “Standing erect” means to be undisturbed and unsettled by it.  Refuse to surrender to the enemy. 

I heard about a bully who had a list of everyone on the playground he could beat up.  A frail, skinny kid looked at the list and saw his name.  “You can’t beat me up,” he said to the bully. 

The bully just erased his name.

“God is a covenant God and He will substantiate His promise, in His time, with His method.”

3.  Wait confidently until God intervenes.

Job could not predict when God would intervene in his trial. 

Nobody can do that.

Abraham waited 24 years for his heir to be born. 

Neither man ever lost his confidence.  God is a covenant God and He will substantiate His promise, in His time, with His method.

4.  Keep working for God in the face of opposition.

Satan’s ploy is for you to drop your hands and sit down in the middle of your work.

Nehemiah didn’t.  He built that wall with a trowel and a sword. 

Keep serving.  Keep giving.  Keep loving.  Keep working in the field of the harvest.

When a thousand voices tell you to “QUIT” your work for God, remind yourself of your reward at the end of the line. 

5.  Don’t let relationships overwhelm you.

A bad relationship can really be a trial.

One harsh, rude, sarcastic, vengeful, arrogant, jealous person can feel like the worst trial of your life.

Remember this:  They can’t control you unless you allow it.  David had to endure Saul chasing him for years to kill him.  He wrote many of his psalms in caves, hiding from Saul’s army.

God judged Saul and David took his kingdom.  You will look up one day and either they will be gone or get right with you.

Start with those 5 things:  “Rejoice, stand, wait, work, and forgive.”  You WILL endure this trial and have victory. 

“BLESSED is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).

Works every time.