Have you ever had a difficult or confusing experience in which your faith was tested? In Genesis chapter 22, we read that God asked a great hero of our faith, Abraham, to do the unimaginable—offer up his long-awaited son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. At first glance, it seems difficult to reconcile this request with what we know about the Lord’s character. How could a God who is entirely holy, upright, loving, and good ask such a thing? And what’s more—the Bible tells us that God promised to bless Abraham through Isaac, saying, “Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him” (Genesis 17:19). In asking Abraham to surrender his beloved son, was not God going back on His promise?

Genesis 22:1 offers clarity, as it includes an important detail of this story. It reads, “Some time later God tested Abraham.” God’s request was a test, one that He would use to achieve His purposes—which are always good! The plan was not to reveal Abraham’s true character to God, but rather, to reveal God’s true character to Abraham—reaffirming that He could be counted on as a faithful provider and promise keeper.

This story invites us to follow Abraham’s example in exercising unwavering faith in God, even when it doesn’t make sense. When we do, we too will find God’s character to be tested, trustworthy, and true!

Read, Reflect, Write:

Read Genesis 22. Can you think of a time in which your faith was tested? If so, how did God use that circumstance to reveal Himself to you?

Read Hebrews 11:17-19. What helped Abraham to obey God, even when God made a difficult and confusing request? How can Abraham’s example help you to exercise obedience even during challenges in your life?

Read James 1:2-4. According to this passage, what does the testing of faith produce?

James 1:2-4

What hardships are you facing today? Perhaps you’re navigating heartache, divorce, sickness, loss, financial strain, or any other of the many difficulties that we encounter in our lives. While challenges of all sorts are unavoidable, the Word of God is rich in wisdom that can guide us every season. So, what should we do during seasons of hardship? In James chapter 1, the Apostle James answered that question when he wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (verse 2).

Consider trials a joy—pure joy? James didn’t supply a mere coping strategy to deploy in adverse circumstances; he expressed that we can, and should, find joy in them. You may be wondering how that could even be possible, and thankfully, James also offered an illuminating explanation: “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (verse 3). He continued, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (verse 4).

Take a moment to reflect on the rigorous training programs endured by the most elite athletes. High-level athletes subject themselves to—and even learn to enjoy—levels of physical stress that most people wouldn’t dream of taking on. But why? The answer is simple: they know what their training produces—strength, stamina, and, most importantly, a chance at victory.

What if we, like world-class athletes in training, learned to embrace difficulties because we valued what they produced in our lives? Friends, the Lord works masterfully through our trials and uses them to develop perseverance in us. Perseverance is invaluable; it enables us to mature and, ultimately, reach a state of spiritual completion in which we lack nothing. While this wonderful spiritual reality doesn’t eliminate the presence of pain in our lives, it does allow us to discover purpose within it—and that is something to be considered a joy!

Read, Reflect, Write:

Have you ever had a difficult experience (such as training for an athletic event) that produced something valuable in your life? If so, what was it?

Read James 1:2-4. What hardships are you currently facing? How might the Lord use that situation to strengthen you?

Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. According to this passage, what are your current troubles achieving for you?

What are some simple habits that might help you to fix your eyes on the unseen? How
would these habits better equip you to endure trials?

Isaiah 40:29-31

Do you find yourself facing one of life’s storms today? While hardships are inevitable, Scripture provides a wonderful encouragement: in the Lord, there is strength to overcome any storm. Isaiah 40:29-31 reads:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

These poetic words, prophetically penned by Isaiah, point to a valuable lesson gleaned from nature, specifically, from the eagle. When storms arise, most birds seek shelter. But eagles do something that seems counterintuitive: they fly directly into the storm. With majestic and unwavering composure, eagles capitalize on heavy winds—spreading their wide-spanning wings to allow gusty forces to lift them upwards. In the skies just above the storm, they find safety and calm.

As you read Isaiah’s words above, perhaps you identified with some of what he described—trials and turbulence have left you tired and weary, or maybe they’ve even caused you to stumble and fall. If that is so, take a moment to declare that you are going to hope in the Lord. He will sustain and strengthen you, and what’s more, you’ll find that life’s biggest storms are exactly what He’ll use to lift you up—growing your faith, endurance, maturity, and more.

Read, Reflect, Write:

What storm are you facing? How has that storm made you feel?

Reread Isaiah 40:29-31. What are some of the things that God offers to those who are weary and weak as they put their hope in Him?

Read James 1:2-4. What are some qualities that trials might produce in your life?

Do you think it’s important to embrace the storms of life? Why or why not?