5:3-4 Endurance Builds Character Perhaps you have heard that in order to build muscle you must first break it down or have experienced the truth of that in the painful process of physical therapy or recovery from a strenuous workout. Here, Paul is giving us a workout regimen for building character, and it begins by enduring problems and trials. Paul tells us that our character is strengthened when we faithfully endure painful, difficult times. As we persevere through trials, we are better able to understand that God is with us and that he can be trusted.