Enduring Faith: Growth Through Life's Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: Suffering Produces Endurance and Hope

Faith does not exempt us from hardship, but it carries us through it, shaping us in the process. When we face suffering, it is not a sign of God’s absence but an opportunity for our faith to be stretched and strengthened. The discomfort and tension of these seasons are not wasted; they are the very means by which God enlarges our capacity for His power, grace, and character. Endurance is born in the stretch, and hope is the harvest that follows. If your faith was never stretched, you would never grow. [22:29]

Romans 5:3-4 (ESV)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

Reflection: What current hardship in your life might God be using to stretch and strengthen your faith for a greater purpose?

Day 2: God Will Restore, Confirm, Strengthen, and Establish You

The season of stretching is not permanent; God promises restoration and strength after suffering. Though the trial may feel endless, there is an end date set by God Himself. He is the God of all grace, and after you have endured for a little while, He will personally restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Trust that your present struggle is temporary, and on the other side, you will emerge with a deeper confidence in God and a testimony of His faithfulness. [24:18]

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust that God’s restoration and strength are coming, even if you can’t see it yet?

Day 3: Faith Requires a Shift in Sight and a Step of Surrender

Walking by faith means seeing beyond what is visible and surrendering control to God. Faith commands us to shift our perspective from our circumstances to God’s promises, and to take steps of obedience even when the path is unclear. This surrender is not passive; it is an active trust that God is working, even in the unseen. As you surrender, God shapes you, and your faith deepens through every step you take. [26:03]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: What is one area where you need to shift your focus from what you see to what God has promised, and how can you take a step of surrender today?

Day 4: The Walk of Faith Is Worth Every Sacrifice

Every sacrifice, struggle, and tear on the faith journey is absolutely worth it because of the One who walks with us. God’s presence, goodness, and mercy accompany those who walk by faith, making every hardship meaningful. The journey may be difficult, but it is never walked alone. The reward is not just in what we gain, but in how we are transformed and drawn closer to God through the process. [26:44]

Philippians 3:8 (ESV)
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

Reflection: What sacrifice or struggle in your faith journey can you now see as worthwhile because of how it has drawn you closer to God?

Day 5: Don’t Give Up—Keep Walking by Faith

No matter how hard or cold the journey gets, keep walking by faith. Do not let setbacks, shadows, or pain paralyze you. Every step you take is part of your testimony, and when you look back, you will see how God was present in every trial. The same God who called you will keep you, and the walk of faith will lead you closer to Him. Don’t turn around—you’ve come too far, and God’s promise is ahead. [27:49]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Reflection: When you feel like giving up, what is one practical way you can remind yourself to keep walking by faith today?

Sermon Summary

Faith does not shield us from the hardships of life, but it is the very thing that carries us through them. God often allows challenges to remain, not because He is indifferent, but because He is using them to transform us. These seasons of stretching are uncomfortable and can feel overwhelming, but they are not permanent. In the midst of suffering, God is enlarging our capacity—making room for more of His power, grace, and character within us. As Romans 5:3-4 reminds us, suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. There is a harvest coming from the stretch, even if it is hard to see right now.

For those who feel like they are in the most difficult season of their lives, the encouragement is clear: do not quit in the stretch. The tension and discomfort are signs that God is at work, shaping and molding us like a potter with clay. This process is not easy, but it is purposeful. God has set an end date for every trial, and when we emerge, we will be stronger, more confident in Him, and able to say, like Job, “Now my eyes have seen you.” The stretching season is temporary, but the growth and blessing that come from it are lasting.

Faith requires a shift in our perspective, a willingness to surrender, and the courage to endure seasons of stretching. The journey of faith is not always easy, but every sacrifice and struggle is worth it because of the One who walks with us. God’s presence, goodness, and mercy accompany us every step of the way. Even when the path is difficult, we are never alone. The call is to keep walking, to not let setbacks, pain, or the opinions of others stop us. When we look back, we will see that every trial and sacrifice has drawn us closer to God. The same God who called us will keep us, and one day, we will see Him face to face.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is not a shield from hardship, but the means by which we endure and grow through it. God often allows challenges to remain because He is using them to transform us, stretching our faith so that we develop endurance and hope. The discomfort we feel is evidence of God enlarging our capacity for His power and grace. [22:08]
2. Seasons of stretching are temporary, even though they may feel overwhelming in the moment. God promises restoration, strength, and establishment after we have suffered for a little while. Trusting that there is an end date to every trial gives us hope to persevere and not give up. [24:18]
3. The process of being stretched is like a potter shaping clay—sometimes fast, sometimes with pressure, but always with purpose. God knows exactly what He is doing, and the tension we experience is part of His design to make us more like Him. Trusting the process allows us to receive blessings and strength that could not come any other way. [25:45]
4. Faith requires a shift in sight and a step of surrender. It is not just about believing for the good times, but about allowing God to change our perspective and lead us through seasons of difficulty. Surrendering to God’s process is essential for true spiritual growth and maturity. [26:03]
5. Every sacrifice and struggle on the journey of faith is worth it because of the One who walks with us. God’s presence, goodness, and mercy accompany us, and He will keep us through every trial. When we look back, we will see that every step has brought us closer to Him, and the journey will have been worth it. [27:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:08] - Faith Carries Us Through Hardship
[22:29] - Suffering Produces Endurance
[23:00] - The Harvest from the Stretch
[23:38] - Enlarging Our Capacity
[24:00] - Stretching Is Not Permanent
[24:18] - God’s Promise After Suffering
[25:01] - Coming Out Stronger
[25:23] - Knowing God for Yourself
[25:45] - Trusting the Potter’s Process
[26:03] - Faith Requires a Shift in Sight
[26:22] - The Cost and Worth of Faith
[27:05] - God Walks With Us
[27:28] - Keep Walking in Faith
[28:20] - Persevering Through Hard Times
[29:38] - God Will Keep You to the End

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 5:3-4 — "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

- 1 Peter 5:10
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

- Job 42:5
"My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you."

Observation Questions

According to Romans 5:3-4, what is the process that suffering sets in motion in a believer’s life?
In 1 Peter 5:10, what does God promise to do after we have suffered for a little while?
The sermon compares God’s work in us to a potter shaping clay. What are some ways the sermon describes this process? [[25:45]]
What does Job say about his relationship with God after his season of suffering? How does this relate to the sermon’s message? [[25:23]]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God allow seasons of stretching and discomfort instead of removing our challenges right away? [[22:08]]
The sermon says, “The tension you feel is the Lord enlarging your capacity.” What does it mean for God to enlarge our capacity, and why is this important? [[23:38]]
How does the promise in 1 Peter 5:10 give hope to someone who is in the middle of a difficult season?
The sermon mentions that faith requires a “shift in sight” and a “step of surrender.” What does this look like in real life? [[26:03]]

Application Questions

Think about a current or past season of hardship in your life. In what ways did you see God using that time to stretch or grow you? Did you notice any change in your character or hope? [[22:29]]
The sermon encourages us not to “quit in the stretch.” What are some practical ways you can keep going when you feel like giving up? Who can you reach out to for support? [[23:20]]
Is there an area in your life right now where you sense God is asking you to surrender or trust Him more deeply? What would it look like to take a step of surrender this week? [[26:03]]
The sermon says, “God has an end date for every trial.” How does believing this truth change the way you face your current struggles? [[24:18]]
When you look back on past difficulties, can you see how God’s presence, goodness, or mercy was with you? Share a specific example with the group. [[27:05]]
The process of being stretched is compared to a potter shaping clay. What is one area of your life where you feel God is shaping you right now? How can you cooperate with His process instead of resisting it? [[25:45]]
The sermon says every sacrifice and struggle is worth it because of the One who walks with us. How can you remind yourself of God’s presence during hard times this week? [[27:28]]

Sermon Clips

Faith doesn't exempt us from hardship. Faith carry us he and faith carries us carries us through the hardship. Faith doesn't accept the hardship, but faith carries us through. God doesn't destroy doesn't always remove the challenge immediately because he's busy using it to change you. He's stretching you so your faith muscle can gain endurance. Romans um Romans 5:3 and 4 says, "Suffering produces endurance." Suffering produces endurance. And endurance produces character and character produces hope. [00:21:48]

Faith doesn't exempt us from hardship. Faith carries us through the hardship. God doesn't always remove the challenge immediately because he's busy using it to change you. He's stretching you so your faith muscle can gain endurance. Suffering produces endurance. Endurance produces character and character produces hope. [00:21:48]

There's a produce a harvest coming from the stretch. You hear me? A harvest, a produce, a a harvest is coming from the stretch. Some of you are in your stretching season right now and it's uncomfortable. It might be the most difficult season you've ever faced. But the Lord sent me to tell you, don't quit in the stretch. That tension you feel is the Lord enlarging your capacity. [00:23:03]

Some of you are in your stretching season right now and it's uncomfortable. It might be the most difficult season you've ever faced. But the Lord sent me to tell you, don't quit in the stretch. That tension you feel is the Lord enlarging your capacity. Bless you. [00:23:19]

He's making room in you for more of his power, more of his grace, more of his character. If your faith was never stretched, you'd never grow. Look at your neighbor. Say, "I'm going to stretch my faith." Stretch my faith. This season of stretching is not permanent. Let me say that again. Your stretch is just for a season. [00:23:41]

If your faith was never stretched, you'd never grow. This season of stretching is not permanent. Let me say that again. Your stretch is just for a season. 1 Peter 5:10 gives us this promise. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. [00:23:59]

1 Peter 5:10 gives us this promise. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Just wait a little while. Amen. It won't last forever. God has an end date for the trial. [00:24:24]

And when you come out of this, trust me, you will come out better. You'll come out with a deeper confidence in God. You'll come out uh saying like Joe, I had heard of you before. But now my eyes have seen me. In other words, now I truly know the Lord for myself. [00:24:57]

When you come out of this, trust me, you will come out better. You'll come out with a deeper confidence in God. You'll come out saying like Joe, I had heard of you before. But now my eyes have seen me. In other words, now I truly know the Lord for myself. [00:25:05]

Don't give up in the stretching season. Oh go and and let God finish his work like a master pot. He's shooting you on the wheel. And yes, sometimes it stays fast and and and and presses hard, but but he knows what he's doing. Trust the process because on the other side of the stretch is a blessing and a and a strength you couldn't have gotten any other way. [00:25:32]

Trust the process because on the other side of the stretch is a blessing and a strength you couldn't have gotten any other way. Let's remember where we come from. Faith requires a shift in sight. Faith commands a step of surrender and faith leads to a season of stretching. [00:25:53]

Let's remember where we come from. Faith requires a shift in sight. Faith commands a step of surrender and faith leads to a season of stretching. You might be thinking, "Pastor Jude, that's a lot. This faith walk sounds difficult." And I owe that to y'all. Yes, it can be difficult. [00:26:06]

But here's the news I want to leave with you today. Every single sacrifice, every single struggle on this faith journey is absolutely and positively worth it. How do I know? Because of the one we're walking with. I said the walk is worth it. the the It's worth the fight. It's worth the tears. [00:26:33]

It's worth the struggle. It's worth the silence. It's worth the because God wants who works with those who walk with him. Uh and when when you walk by faith, you you know not by yourself, but the angels you know accomplish you. The goodness and mercy show you and faith that goes before you. [00:27:09]

Don't let the shadow shake you again. Don't let the setback stop you again. Don't let the people persuade you again. Don't let the pain paralyze you. Keep walking because walking because walking because somebody is worth the said to you right to lose when you're happy to win you. [00:27:35]

When it gets hard, keep on rocking. And when it gets cold, keep on rocking. When your heart feels ready, keep on walking. The old request will understand by every step you take is showing up. in my testimony. When you look back and say, "Lord, now I see what you believe." [00:28:43]

It was all the fear and every trial was. Every sacrifice was this walk of faith has led me closer to you. game was ours today. Don't turn around. You come too far. The same God who called you is the same God and we will keep you in one. [00:29:13]

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