Spiritual Growth - God Uses Problems to Shape You

We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. – Romans 5:3

Tell the truth. When you run into problems, what is your first and most common response: complaining? crying? yelling? denial? pouting? rejoicing?

Unless you’re highly unusual (or slightly dishonest) you probably didn’t answer “rejoicing.” Let’s face it – it isn’t normal to be joyful in the face of trials.

But you can develop this trait. According to the promise above, trials are good for you. How so? In the same way that an excruciating exercise regimen is good for you. You sweat and strain through painful and unpleasant workouts. But over time, if you keep at it, you see big changes. You’re stronger and healthier.

Viewing your troubles as a kind of “spiritual exercise program” enables you to rejoice (see 1 Peter 1:6-7). It enables you to see your suffering as something good in your life. God is using trials in your life to stretch you and strengthen your faith. Without these pressures, you’d be just another flabby, out-of-shape Christian.

God’s Promise to Me

• I allow you to go through trials so that you might grow.

My Prayer to God

God, you want me to trust You in the hard times. Rejoicing isn’t natural for me, so make it my supernatural response to difficulties and pressures in my life. Teach me to endure, Lord, so that my faith will grow and get stronger.

Excerpted with permission from Once-a-Day Bible Promises Devotional by Zondervan, copyright Zondervan, 2012.

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Your Turn

Are you being stretched? Shaped? Worked harder than you expected or wanted? Take a moment to tell God you trust Him. Join the conversation on our blog! We would love to hear from you about looking at your trials and sufferings differently, as tools for spiritual growth with God’s good and loving Hand purposefully shaping you in the middle of them! ~ Devotionals Daily