James 1:4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Trials can do one of two things for us: They can challenge us so much that we forsake God and turn away to something easier, or they can strengthen our faith by causing us to trust in God more. If we take what may be the more difficult path of obedience and relying on God in submission, the outcome will be maturity. An analogy is exercise. Exercise is not pleasant. Right now, I am trying to lose some weight. It is not easy to get up and walk not the treadmill with it is 85 degrees by 7 am and the air is full of pollution. I only walk five minutes and I am already sweating. I can just sit around and let me body grow old and fat, or I can discipline myself and pay the price of exercise. One will lead to decay and an early death. The other will lead to health, vigor, and better outlook on life. In the same way, the trials that I will inevitably face can bring discouragement and defeat or an opportunity to grow in my trust in God. The choice is always up to us which path we will take.
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