When have you faced a situation where doing the right thing felt especially difficult? How did you respond, and what was the outcome?
James 1:2–4 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Why do you think trials are necessary for spiritual growth? How have your own hardships shaped your character?
Job 2:8–10 (NLT)
Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
How does Job’s response to suffering challenge the way we often view hardship? What does his integrity teach us about faithfulness?
Romans 12:21 (NLT)
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
What does it mean to “overcome evil with good”? Can you think of a biblical example where someone did this?
Hebrews 12:1–3 (NLT)
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
How does looking to Jesus’ example help us remain faithful in the face of adversity?
Daniel 3:16–18 (NLT)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
How does their response to King Nebuchadnezzar reflect true trust in God? How can we develop this kind of faith?
2 Corinthians 12:8–10 (NLT)
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it (his “thorn in the flesh”) away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Why does Paul say he delights in weaknesses, insults, and hardships? How can we begin to see struggles as opportunities to experience God’s power?
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Why is so utterly trusting in God so difficult? How do we live this out when life feels unfair or overwhelming?
Romans 5:3–5 (NLT)
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Paul says that suffering can lead us to hope rather than despair. How? What does this show us about God’s long-term plan for our character?
Reflecting on all we’ve discussed, what is one step you can take this week to trust God more deeply in a difficult situation?
Final Thought:
God’s Word repeatedly shows us that persisting in good character is not about immediate relief but about faithfulness to Him. How can we support one another in trusting God more fully despite our circumstances?
