In the journey of our Christian faith, we are often faced with trials, tribulations, and challenges that test our endurance, faith and long-suffering.
🫣On my own personal journey I can't tell you how many times I've cried out to God telling Him, "this was too much, I can't, never mind, what have I signed up for"😮💨
The Bible teaches us about the importance of enduring hardships with faith and patience.
During times of challenges we face, it can be difficult to maintain our faith let alone our joy. However, we can find encouragement in the promises of God.
Psalm 27:14 (ESV) encourages us:
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
In our waiting and enduring (whatever it is), we can find strength and courage in knowing that God is with us, He is faithful, and He will bring us through the trials stronger and more steadfast in our faith.
Our endurance through suffering produces a character trait that is resilient, grounded in hope, and is a testimony to God's love working in us.
The Bible is rich with teachings on endurance and long-suffering. One prominent example is found in James 1:2-4 (ESV) and has been a verse I have seen play out in my personal life after deciding to apply it after abruptly losing my job last year:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
This passage emphasizes the idea that enduring trials and tribulations ultimately leads to spiritual growth and maturity.
Long-suffering, enduring with patience and joy, demonstrates a steadfast faith that is pleasing to God.
Yes, my faith is tested. Yes, I am experiencing all types of trials, external and sometimes internal pressure, and hardships (loss of a job, physical pain, financial hardships, my kids are demanding, my marriage is challenging… this list may be endless) and yes my humanness feels all of its weight 😮💨.
In the natural, a promotion looks like getting a trophy, a raise, and a standing ovation 👏🏾 BUT in the Spirit, it looks like trials, opposition and loss, yet the reward is everlasting 🙌🏾
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of long-suffering and endurance. His life on Earth was marked by various trials and challenges, yet He remained steadfast in His mission and purpose. He endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
Now I know you might be saying, "well I'm not Jesus" but as Christians, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, enduring our own trials with faith, knowing that God is in control and has a purpose for every situation we face.
As we grow through the sufferings of life, we can rest assure that there is a ripe fruit being produced IN us that supersedes the pressure we are facing. Yet, it might not feel like it, by faith we have hope to stand in truth knowing it is!
Our human emotions are valid, and God gave them to us for a reason. He knows how we feel so I encourage you to go to Him with all your feelings, emotions and yes, questions!
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, [ “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46
We learn from the Bible and life of Jesus just how we too can go to our Father. Through the seasons of life there is a time under the sun for everything, and one thing about seasons is THEY CHANGE!
Be encouraged! "Weeping may endure for a night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning" Psalm 30:5
In other words, WEEP and MOURN and know that JOY awaits on the other side!
"You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].
A special THANK YOU to Vicki who covered this weeks prayer call in which this blog is inspired.
Have a wonderful weekend 🩷
Blessings + Love,
Tunai
~Grab your perfect peace candle 🕯️ and as you light it, rest assure He will keep you in perfect peace as your mind stays on Him ~ (a portion of proceeds are donated into Her Hearts KEY "a world where women are deeply rooted in their faith empowered to live a life of purpose, joy, and impact").