I’m going to tell you something I wish someone had told me fifteen years ago. Living a life for Christ and pursuing our purpose doesn’t exempt us from facing hardships. Despite our best efforts and intentions, challenges are an integral part of the journey. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that when I was still young in my faith, I wrestled with the idea that life would still be hard even after I chose to follow Jesus. I had this preconceived notion that dedicating my life to God and asking Jesus into my heart would come with the abundant life promised in John 10:10. Bless my naïve little heart.

My husband and I recently celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. That tenth year was a milestone, but it was also the hardest year of our marriage yet. What we thought would be our dream home became a nightmare. We got in over our heads, unable to keep up with the financial demands of our lives. The cost of everything increased while our income remained the same. We were house poor and couldn’t see a way out.

The day I found out we were behind on our housing mortgage was sobering. I felt like a failure—as though it were all my fault. I was the one who wanted the shiny, new, aesthetically pleasing house. Now here we were, drowning in debt. It was clear we needed to sell our home and downsize, but the housing market was at a standstill. From April to August, no one showed interest in buying. To say it was excruciating is an understatement.

We received varying responses as we shared our struggle. There was support, but also judgment, and it was gut-wrenching. I felt forgotten by God yet again. We were in a deep hole, and I was the one holding the shovel.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2–4).

Notice that James tells us to consider it joy when we experience trials—not if. He urges us to respond proactively, because crisis comes for us all. Our health might fail, a marriage might end, we might lose a loved one, or face financial failures, trauma, addictions, or disappointments. Although the list could go on, James tells us to consider it joy, because these trials test our faith and produce endurance.

Let’s pause for a moment and ponder this. The juxtaposition of joy with trials is uncomfortable, but James shows us they belong together.

Trials produce endurance, not as a sign of failure but as an essential part of spiritual growth.

God is able to create beauty from our heartache. The difficulties we encounter refine our commitment to His calling, revealing strengths, weaknesses, and a more sincere faith. Today’s challenges prepare us for tomorrow’s purpose, and together, they form a beautiful mosaic we can’t yet comprehend.

I’m no expert—I’m learning this lesson alongside you. But let’s remember: with God’s guidance, imperfect circumstances can transform us rather than defeat us. Each perceived loss becomes an opportunity to grow rather than a hindrance to our calling.

Let’s lean into hardships, knowing every trial strengthens our spiritual muscle and equips us to keep moving toward our purpose—even when the road is rough.

Excerpted from Ready as You Are by Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer. © 2025 Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. HarperCollinsChristian.com.

For deeper reflection, listen to James 1 today!