Enduring the Trials (EP #105)

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SUMMARY
Following Jesus will lead you straight into trials—and that’s not a sign He’s abandoned you, but that He’s growing you. In this episode, I unpack why pain can be a gift, and how agile, stable, flexible, strong, and enduring faith actually get formed.

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Following Christ will lead to trials that produce pain in your life…and that can be a good thing.

UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRITUAL LANDSCAPE OF TRIALS

1. Count it – take inventory of the opportunity
   Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds

   Don’t make light by minimizing, ignoring, or neglecting

   Don’t exaggerate by embellishing with hyperbolic language
   

2. The Trials are Coming
   …when you meet trials of various kinds

   The trials will run into you – consequences of someone else’s choices

   You will run into trials – consequences of your own choices

DEVELOPING FAITH THAT ENDURES

1. Agile Faith – your faiths ability to move and respond quickly in obedience

Disciplines that train you to see and respond to God’s leading:

• Daily examen (or reflective prayer): Reviewing the day with God sharpens awareness of where He is at work and how to respond next time more quickly and faithfully.

• Scripture meditation: Slowly chewing on short passages trains you to recall and apply God’s Word in real time when situations suddenly shift.

2. Stabile Faith – your confidence in God that anchors you in the chaos

Disciplines that anchor you:

• Doctrinal Study: a systematic study of God’s character and promises gives a stable theological “core” when emotions and circumstances are turbulent.

• Fixed‑hour prayer: Set times of prayer each day function like “core work,” anchoring you in God’s presence regardless of what the day throws at you.

3. Flexible Faith – your willingness to adjust expectations, plans and comforts so you can stay the course

Disciplines that train you to release control:

• Fasting & Abstinence: Voluntarily giving up good things (food, media, comforts) stretches your capacity to adapt when unwanted losses or limits arrive

• Submission: Practicing submission to God and appropriate human authorities loosens your grip on “my way,” building spiritual pliability.

4. Strong Faith – Your capacity to unwaveringly live for the kingdom and resist temptation, discouragement, and unbelief.

Disciplines that build the ability to exert spiritual “force” against sin, fear, and apathy:

• Confession and Repentance: Regular, honest confession trains the muscles of truth‑telling and turning from sin, so you can push back against entrenched patterns.

• Service and Sacrifice: Concrete acts of self‑giving love under inconvenience or cost build moral and spiritual strength like weighted reps

5. Enduring Faith – sustained effort amidst hardship without giving up

Disciplines that help you stay the course:

• Corporate Worship: Week‑after‑week gathered worship keeps you in the race with others, reinforcing perseverance when you’d rather quit.

• Rule of Life: A simple, sustainable pattern of practices (Sabbath, prayer, Scripture, community, service) executed consistently building endurance over years, not days.

CONTACT US at hello@thisresilientsoul.com. We are always looking for ways to deepen the quality and expand the impact of this podcast. So if you have some ideas on how we can do that we welcome your input.

Theme Music by Caleb Prasad

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