In Proverbs, chapter twenty-four, verse ten, trouble and distress will come to all of us at some time in this life, as in Job seven, verse seven, and James one, verses three to four, respectively. When they do, we as believers must be strong in the Lord, look to Him as our refuge, as in Deuteronomy thirty-three, verse twenty-seven, and call upon Him, confident that His promise to never forsake us is true, as in Hebrews thirteen, verse five. To those who faithfully trust in Him, God gives sufficient strength and grace to endure the time of trouble, as in Isaiah forty, verse twenty-nine, Second Corinthians twelve, verse nine, Colossians one, verse eleven, accordingly.
There is nothing like a situation that will put everyone to the test when they encounter it. No one knows exactly when it is coming. However, when it does, how would you react? When everything is going well, and all is well, we are all okay with that. In the beginning of Ecclesiastes seven, verse fourteen, declares, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider.”
Perseverance for believers toward God-given goals while accepting the path God provides, whether it seems rough or smooth. By acknowledging that God is at work within us, we can rejoice in prosperity and learn to trust God in times of adversity. Like the apostle Paul, we must learn to be content, whether living in plenty or in want.
In Haggai one, verse seven, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience, as in James one, verses two through three. To do this during adversity will result in victory sooner rather than later.