DATE POSTED
Sunday, September 13, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

Romans 5:3-4 (NLT): ³ 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.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Paul makes a statement here that seems almost impossible at first glance:

“We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials.”

How can anyone rejoice in tribulation?

The word translated tribulation comes from the Greek word thlipsis, which carries the idea of pressure, affliction, or being pressed from all sides. It paints a picture similar to olives being crushed in a press to produce oil. While no one enjoys being under pressure, God often uses life’s crushing moments to accomplish His greatest work within us.

Our ultimate example is Jesus Himself. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He experienced such agony that His sweat became like drops of blood. Yet He willingly surrendered Himself to the Father’s will. Through His suffering came salvation for all who believe.

As believers, we often discover God’s power most clearly during our most difficult seasons. When we surrender our trials to Him, we begin to experience His sustaining grace firsthand. What once seemed impossible becomes possible through His strength. What once appeared overwhelming becomes another testimony of His faithfulness.

This is why Paul could speak so confidently about tribulation. Throughout his ministry, he endured persecution, hardship, imprisonment, rejection, and countless challenges. Yet rather than destroying his faith, those experiences strengthened it. Each trial became another opportunity to witness God’s power at work.

Notice the progression Paul describes:

• Tribulation produces endurance.
• Endurance produces character.
• Character produces hope.

God does not waste our struggles. He uses them to shape us into believers whose faith has been tested and proven. Through repeated experiences of His faithfulness, our confidence in Him grows stronger.

Many Christians have observed that when we ask God for patience, it seems like He often allows us to face circumstances that require patience. In the same way, God develops spiritual maturity not merely through instruction, but through experience. Often the lessons we treasure most are those learned in the valleys of life.

The message of the old song Through It All captures this truth beautifully: had we never faced difficulties, we might never have learned how faithful God truly is. While we would never choose many of our trials, we often look back and see God’s hand sustaining us every step of the way.

Perhaps you are reading this today and have never experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ. You may wonder how anyone can move from frustration and fear during life’s hardships to the confident hope Paul describes. The answer is found in a relationship with Christ. When the Holy Spirit begins drawing you to God, you will find yourself asking spiritual questions and seeking eternal answers.

When you place your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you begin a journey marked by His presence, His guidance, and His transforming power. He does not promise a life free from tribulation, but He does promise that you will never face it alone.

As you walk with Him, you will discover that He is the God of the mountaintops and the valleys. He is present in seasons of victory and in seasons of suffering. And one day, you may look back on your greatest trials and recognize that they became some of God’s greatest tools for strengthening your faith and equipping you to encourage someone else.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Without Jesus, you are left to handle all aspects of your overwhelming life alone. But remember that with Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He is able, He is all powerful, and because He loves you so much, you are not alone in the tribulations of life. Better still, you will one day reflect on how He uses the lessons learned in your tribulations to strengthen you to help others overcome theirs! Know Jesus today and know this peace, dear friend!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, when problems and trials come into my life, help me to see beyond my present circumstances and trust Your greater purpose. Remind me that You are using every difficulty to strengthen my endurance, develop godly character, and deepen my hope in You. Give me the faith to surrender my burdens into Your capable hands and the confidence to believe that You are working all things together for good. Thank You for never leaving me alone in my tribulations and for walking with me through every valley. May my life become a testimony of Your faithfulness and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!