Day 19: Resilience

by ctkcharlotte, posted in Daily Devotion

Romans 5:3—5 (ESV)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Reflect

In this passage from Romans, Paul encourages the believers in Rome, and us, to rejoice even in the midst of problems and trials. That’s a challenging command, especially when we’re facing real pain, sorrow, or uncertainty. Rejoicing in hardship can feel unnatural or even impossible, but when we choose to do it anyway, we declare our trust in God’s faithfulness.

One simple, powerful prayer we can offer in those moments is:
“Thank you, God, for this opportunity to lean on You. Please guide me through this.”

We may not always get the outcome we desire, but we can rest in the assurance that “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). When we bring our worries to Him and surrender to His plan, we receive “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

As we continue the rhythm of praying, trusting, and rejoicing, even in difficulty, God builds resilience in us. He uses our trials to increase our spiritual endurance and deepen our character. According to Oxford Languages, resilience is “the capacity to withstand difficulties.” In Christ, it’s even more than that, it’s the ability to rise, hope, and keep going because we know we are not alone.

Each day we can choose joy, not because of our circumstances, but because of who God is. The Lord is our strength. He is our constant, and we can always depend on Him.

Food for Thought

  • How has God shown up for you in past challenges?
  • In what parts of your life might God be inviting you to trust Him more deeply?
  • What truths about God can you celebrate today, even in difficulty?
  • What is one specific prayer you can pray today to surrender control to God?
  • Who can you pray for today who may also be walking through trials?

Prayer
Lord, I love You. Thank You for this opportunity to lean on You. Please guide me through this challenge. I know I can trust You. Equip me with Your strength and use me as a tool for Your Kingdom. Help me rejoice in the process, knowing You are with me.
Amen.

Submitted by: Carolyn Bickers

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