Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:1-5).

We know that troubles and trials are just part of living in a fallen world. But did you know that Satan will use trials, afflictions, infirmities, etc. to try to prevent you from having faith in Christ? Remember when you were a sinner; there were times when you experienced hard times and pain. But now that you’re a Christian doesn’t it seem those afflictions have intensified? Our adversary, Satan, is going about as a roaring lion seeking those that aren’t walking by faith in order that he might devour them (1 Peter 5:8).

Satan believes that if he applies pain, coupled with spiritual pressure to the weaknesses of our flesh and emotions, then we will give in and go back into unbelief. Satan doesn’t take into consideration that our faith in Jesus is our strength. In other words, we’re not leaning on the arm of the flesh or man’s strength, but we’re “enduring” through our faith in Jesus. The more our faith is tried, and the longer we endure the fiery furnaces of life, the more precious our faith becomes. When our faith has been tried by fire, it will only increase our confidence in Jesus to deliver us. Thus it will be our faith in Him that will give us victory over the Devil, the very one who attacked our faith in the beginning with the trial.

The key to gaining victory over the weaknesses of the flesh nature and not “throwing in the towel” is to walk by faith. How does that work? Paul teaches us in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the Word of God. If we will feed our soul a steady diet of God’s Word, then the Lord can speak from the Word that we have read and energize our faith by speaking a word in season to our weary soul. Let me say that “a word in season” doesn’t necessarily mean that the season will come to a close, but it will “empower you to endure” until the weakness of the flesh nature has been replaced with the character of God.

Once we overcome the flesh nature and endure to the end of the trial, then the season will conclude. While you are waiting for victory, the Holy Spirit will be your coach and your personal trainer; He will encourage you daily. The Lord will also bring people into your life that will speak words to cheer you on in your faith, but you must continue to endure. Paul used several sports metaphors in his writings, but the one thing he stressed is that we keep in the race until the victory is won.

You may be asking, “Why does our heavenly Father allow our faith to be tried so often in this life?” It’s because we’re learning to be obedient through the things that we suffer; He’s forming us into the image of Jesus—mature children of God who are filled with God’s love and power.  —submitted by Asa Dockery, US