Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer – Romans 12:12 (NIV)
It’s hard to “consider it pure joy” when life gets tough. Most of us don’t automatically rejoice when plans fall apart or when pain knocks at our door. But we are reminded in James 1:2 that our trials have purpose.
God uses the rough roads to shape us into stronger, deeper, wiser believers. Every difficulty becomes a tool in His hand to grow our faith. The process may hurt, but it always leads to something beautiful.
Think of it like this: A seed has to be buried in darkness before it can grow toward the light. Trials feel like those dark, buried moments — but they’re not the end; they’re the beginning of transformation.
I remember a young man named Marcus who once shared his story at church. He had lost his job unexpectedly, and for months, he felt angry and defeated. He prayed for open doors, but every opportunity seemed to close in on him. One morning, during his devotional time, he read this verse in James 1. Something clicked. He said, “I realised I’d been asking God to remove the trial, but what He wanted was to renew my faith.”
In that season of waiting, Marcus learned to depend on God for his daily bread — literally and spiritually. When a new job finally came, it wasn’t just a better position; it was a testimony of how God had reshaped his heart. “If I hadn’t lost that first job,” he said, “I would’ve never learned how to trust Him.”
That’s what joy in the journey looks like. It’s not a denial of pain; it’s a declaration of purpose. You can look at your struggle and say, “God, I don’t understand this, but I know You’re doing something in me through it.”
Ask yourself:
- What trial am I currently facing that could be shaping my faith?
- How might God be using this season to build endurance and trust?
Remember, joy is not found in the outcome — it’s found in knowing that even in the struggle, God is working for your good.
Prayer
Father, thank You for walking with me through every part of this journey — even the difficult parts. Help me to see my trials not as setbacks, but as setups for growth. Teach me to find joy in what You’re doing beneath the surface. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: John 16:33; Romans 5:3-5
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 129; James 3; Ezekiel 36; Ezekiel 37