Streams in my desert: The Blessings in Hardship - Jesus said that we are blessed if we struggle in His name. It proves our faith, purifies our life and prepares us for greater service. We learn the capacity of our faith through testing. When we persevere through a trial, we begin to understand that with God’s help, we can remain steadfast and obedient. We also learn the magnitude of His strength to support us. We are driven into His arms by suffering, and our focus shifts. Misfortune breaks our self-reliance and pride - attitudes that hinder our usefulness for the Lord. Pride crumbles when we realize we’re incapable of living the Christian life on our own. A life of ease isn’t always a sign of blessing. So, let’s not “be surprised at the fiery ordeal ... as though some strange thing were happening”

Saturday, August 16, 2025

The Blessings in Hardship - Jesus said that we are blessed if we struggle in His name. It proves our faith, purifies our life and prepares us for greater service. We learn the capacity of our faith through testing. When we persevere through a trial, we begin to understand that with God’s help, we can remain steadfast and obedient. We also learn the magnitude of His strength to support us. We are driven into His arms by suffering, and our focus shifts. Misfortune breaks our self-reliance and pride - attitudes that hinder our usefulness for the Lord. Pride crumbles when we realize we’re incapable of living the Christian life on our own. A life of ease isn’t always a sign of blessing. So, let’s not “be surprised at the fiery ordeal ... as though some strange thing were happening”

"In our struggles, the Lord strengthens our faith, purifies our heart, and equips us
for greater service." - 1 Peter 4:12-14

Although it’s certainly difficult to feel favored when facing hardships, Jesus said that we are, in fact, blessed.

The Lord’s perspective differs from ours - He considers it a positive thing if we struggle in His name, because ...

- It proves our faith.

We learn the capacity of our faith through testing.

When we persevere through a trial, we begin to understand that with God’s help, we can remain steadfast and obedient.

We also learn the magnitude of His strength to support us.

- It purifies our life.

We are driven into His arms by suffering, and our focus shifts.

As we grow closer to Him, He’ll bring to our awareness wrong attitudes and actions - some related to our trial and some not - for which we must repent.

- It prepares us for greater service.

Misfortune breaks our self-reliance and pride - attitudes that hinder our usefulness for the Lord.

Pride crumbles when we realize we’re incapable of living the Christian life on our own.

A life of ease isn’t always a sign of blessing.

So, let’s not “be surprised at the fiery ordeal ... as though some strange thing were happening” - (1 Pet. 4:12).

If misfortune strengthens our faith, purifies our hearts, and equips us for greater service, then we can thank the Lord for the way He will use it in our life.

Bible in One Year: Isaiah 54-57

Charles Stanley

Charles Frazier Stanley Jr. (September 25, 1932 – April 18, 2023) was an American Southern Baptist pastor and writer. He was senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta for 49 years and took on emeritus status in 2020. He founded and was president of In Touch Ministries which widely broadcasts his sermons through television and radio. He also served two one-year terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, from 1984 to 1986.