Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2025
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Let us rejoice when we go through difficulties (Rom. 5:3).
All Christians know that we will face difficult situations. Consider what the apostle Paul told the Christians in Thessalonica: “When we were with you, we used to warn you that we would suffer hardship, and as you know, so it has happened” (1 Thess. 3:4). And to the Corinthians he wrote: “We want you to know the troubles we had [...] to the point of fearing for our lives” (2 Cor. 1:8; 11:23-27).
This remains true today. Christians know we will experience difficulties (2 Tim. 3:12). Since you began to have faith in Jesus and follow Him, perhaps your friends or family have treated you badly. Have you had problems at work because you were determined to be honest in all things? (Heb. 13:18) Have you faced opposition from the government for sharing your hope with others? Whatever difficulties we face, Paul says we should rejoice. w23:12 10, 11 pars. 9, 10.
Why should we be determined to endure?
We rejoice when we go through difficulties because they help us develop an important quality. Romans 5:3 says, “Difficulties produce endurance.” Since all Christians go through difficulties, we must all be determined to endure. Only if we endure will we receive the reward we so long for. We don’t want to be like the people Jesus had in mind when he spoke of seeds falling on rocky ground. They accept “the word” with joy, but “whenever difficulties or persecution arise,” they stumble (Matt. 13:5, 6, 20, 21). Of course, no one likes to suffer opposition or face trials, but endurance benefits us. Let’s see why.
What are the advantages of enduring?
The disciple James highlighted the benefits of endurance. He wrote: “Let endurance complete its work, that you may be complete and healthy in every way, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). So endurance has a work or job to do. What is it? It helps us to be more patient, to have more faith, and to trust God more. But that's not all. Endurance has another great benefit.
What happens when we endure, and what effect does it have on our hope? (Romans 5:4)
(Read Romans 5:4.) Paul mentioned that “endurance earns God’s approval.” (Rom. 5:4) That doesn’t mean Jehovah is pleased when we go through difficulties, but that he is pleased when we endure. Doesn’t it encourage you to know that if you remain faithful and endure, you can make Jehovah happy? (Ps. 5:12.)
Consider Abraham. He earned God's approval because he endured the trials he faced. Jehovah saw him as his friend and considered him righteous. (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:13, 22) The same is true for us. God's approval doesn't depend on everything we do in his service or on the responsibilities we have in the congregation, but on our faithfulness and endurance. And that's something everyone can achieve, regardless of their age, circumstances, or abilities. Are you facing a trial right now? Know that if you remain faithful, you will have God's approval. Knowing that Jehovah is pleased with us has a very powerful effect: It strengthens our hope.
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