“We boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”
— 2 Thessalonians 1:4
Even when severely tested, believers should be faithful. Keep your trust in God firm.
You’ve looked forward to middle school for two years. In middle school, you can be on a gymnastics team. But from the first day of practice, you’re so disappointed. The coach criticizes you constantly, even though you know you’re better than anyone else who tried out. A few weeks into practice, you see the coach give one of the girls a big hug, and you ask a team member about it. “You mean Rachel? That’s Coach’s kid. He’s determined that she’s going to be a gold medal winner or something.” Now you understand the persecution you’ve been receiving. Coach wants his own daughter to be the best. You pray about it, and you decide to stay on the team. You’ll just dig in and work hard, keeping your eye on your long-term Olympic goal.
There’s an old saying: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” That means persevering through trials and mistreatment. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us” (Romans 5:3 – 4 NLT). So be tough — and get going!
More To Explore: James 5:11
Girl Talk: Have you ever been severely tested? How did you react to the tough situation?
God Talk: “Lord, I want to stay close to you, no matter what is happening in my life. Help me keep a good attitude throughout any trial I encounter. Amen.”
From Shine On, Girl! by Kristi Holl