A Surprising Source of Spiritual Growth

We might be surprised by this, but spiritual refreshment and growth often come from times of spiritual testing.

Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, God said, “I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. . . . Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed” (Isaiah 43:19–20 NLT).

It’s in the wasteland, the hardships, and the difficulties that we often experience God in a way that we don’t experience Him anywhere else. We want to live on the mountaintops, but spiritual fruit doesn’t grow there. It grows in valleys. It grows in times of difficulty.

James wrote, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2–4 NLT).

Maybe you’re facing a time of hardship right now. Maybe you’ve just had the bottom drop out in life, and you’re wondering why this is happening. You might be thinking, “I’m a Christian. I’m walking with Jesus, and this hardship has befallen me. What have I done to deserve this?”

Christians will face trials in life—for their own good. Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Notice that Jesus didn’t say you might have trials and sorrows. Rather, He said you will have them.

God allows us to go through tests to make sure we really know what we say we know. And He allows hardships in our lives so we will grow up spiritually.

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