We all have faced problems in our relationships or in our work that have caused us to want to think about laying down the tool and walking away. Rather than giving up when persecution wore him down, Paul concentrated on experiencing the inner strength from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). Don’t let fatigue, pains or negative criticisms force you off the job. Renew your commitment to serving Christ. Don’t forsake your eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain. Your very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen you moment by moment.

Heb. 3: 6 Because Christ lives in us as believers, we can remain confident and hopeful to the end. We are not saved by being steadfast and firm in our faith, but our confidence and hope do reveal that our faith is real. Without this enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by the winds of temptation, false teaching, or persecution. (See also 3:14).

Our troubles (afflictions) should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. We should realise that there is a purpose in our suffering. Problems and human limitations have several benefits:
• They remind us of Christ’s suffering for us.
• They keep us from pride.
• They cause us to look beyond this brief life.
• They prove our faith to others.
• They give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power. See your troubles as opportunities.
Our ultimate hope when we are experiencing terrible illness, persecution or pains is the realisation that this life is not all there is — there is life after death! Knowing that we will live forever with God in a place without sin and suffering can help us live above the pain that we face in this life.

Another reason to rejoice when God walks us through difficult situations is that as a result of these experiences we develop insight.
Such a mind makes the sufferer see more of God in times of struggle and suffering than in times of brightness and light.
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Gen 50:20)

God brought good from the brothers’ evil deed, Potiphar’s wife’s false accusation, the butler’s neglect, and seven years of famine. The experiences in Joseph’s life taught him that God brings good from evil for those who trust him. Do you trust God enough to wait patiently for him to bring good out of bad situations? You can trust him because, as Joseph learned, God can overrule people’s evil intentions to bring about his intended results.
Perseverance Is A Weapon Against Opposition
Read Nehemiah 4. Nehemiah was calm under opposition because he was a man of character, persistence and prayer.