With all of the creature comforts available in our modern lives, it is easy to shy away from the things that are difficult or cause us pain. Yet Saint Sebastian Valfrè warns that “When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you will regret having suffered so little, and suffered that little so badly.” Throughout the ages, the saints remind us of the immense spiritual value placed upon our struggles. Saint Vincent de Paul remarks: “If we only knew the precious treasure hidden in infirmities, we would receive them with the same joy with which we receive the greatest benefits, and we would bear them without ever complaining or showing signs of weariness.”
This reframing of how we view our trials is explained beautifully by Saint James (James 1:2-8). Instead of seeing our difficulties as obstacles to our joy, he encourages us to embrace them as opportunities for spiritual growth. Hardships gain meaning when we realize that God uses them to teach us, shape us, fortify us, and draw us closer to Him.
Truly feeling joy in the midst of misfortune is challenging, especially when we lack understanding and wisdom. In these situations, Saint James instructs us to approach God in earnest faith. Those who trust in God’s plan are rewarded with His wisdom to strengthen their resolve, to view the long-term implications, and to navigate through complications. We are consoled by the knowledge that God does not abandon us when life gets hard and that His guidance is always available to us. Even when we struggle to understand the purpose of our trials, God provides the insight and clarity we need to continue.
Accepting our adversities with a joyful perspective helps us to endure them. This joy of perseverance is not a fleeting emotional response to happy circumstances, but rather it comes from the deep confidence that God is working through our trials. Saint Teresa of Ávila observes that “Suffering is a great favor. Remember that everything soon comes to an end…and take courage. Think of how our gain is eternal.” Although the affliction we suffer is temporary, the transformation we undergo lasts forever.
Transformation through trial is a process of refinement, similar to the way gold is refined by fire. When our faith is tested through suffering, we learn to persevere. This perseverance is not a passive endurance but an active reliance on God. Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina advises us that “The more you are afflicted, the more you ought to rejoice, because in the fire of tribulation the soul will become pure gold, worthy to be placed and to shine in the heavenly palace.” While the trial itself may be painful, our joy comes from the end result. We rejoice in the process of growth, recognizing that each challenge makes us more resilient and more aligned with God’s will. Trials are tools in God’s hands to build our character and make us more like Christ. With them, we are able to approach our setbacks with calm and hope. Without them, we forfeit our ability to maximize our God-given potential.
To cultivate perseverance, we must practice endurance through our daily inconveniences, learning to trust God with every cross. Each trial–no matter how big or small–is an opportunity to grow in perseverance. Our resilience develops as we train ourselves to pray through difficulties, to stand on God’s promises, and to wait for His deliverance. As we persevere, we experience God’s sustaining grace and provision, which gives us a joy that cannot be shaken.
Persevering joy is a sign of spiritual maturity. Perseverance makes us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4). This is the ultimate goal of our spiritual journey on earth—to become fully developed in our faith and character. Saint Augustine of Hippo reminds us that “God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.”
When faced with a challenge this week, ask yourself, “How is God using this to mature me in my faith?” And find solace in the words of Saint Ignatius Loyola: “If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that He has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint.”
