Day 28 - Even When It's Long

James 1:2 - 1:4

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Short-term pain for long-term gain. It’s a nice idea and one we can usually commit to.

But what if suffering is long-term pain for long-term gain?

Not so inviting! We may grumble and complain. We may start to claim that God is absent or doubt His promises to us when suffering endures.

James had a different perspective. He saw suffering as a testing of our faith: As how genuine we are as followers of Jesus.

Are we in it for just the blessings and good times? Or are we genuinely sold out for Him?

Suffering is often how we mature in our faith. Being mature in Faith looks like seeing beyond the trials and genuinely being joyful in hardship because it brings us closer to God.

What challenge do you need to embrace today as an opportunity to grow your faith? Talk to the Holy Spirit about it and ask Him for strength to endure it well.