Not Everything Hard Is a Sign to Quit

Read

Romans 5:3–4 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Think

We live in a world that’s built for convenience. Two-day shipping. Same-day delivery. Cancel-anything culture. Everything about our environment conditions us to believe that easier is better, and if something is hard, it must be wrong. But faith doesn’t follow that formula.

Paul writes something that sounds almost offensive to our modern ears: we glory in our sufferings. Not because he liked pain. Not because God is cruel. But because hardship, when surrendered to God, becomes holy ground for transformation.

Notice the chain: suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance shapes character. And character gives way to hope. This isn’t the kind of hope that comes from everything working out. It’s the kind of hope that survives when everything falls apart. A hope rooted not in outcomes but in the one who walks with you through every trial.

But let’s be honest—most of us don’t like to wait for that process. We want instant comfort, not long obedience. And we definitely don’t want to feel like we’re behind or weak or unsure. So we avoid the hard stuff. We escape into distraction. Or we assume that resistance means we’re off course.

But what if it’s actually the opposite? What if resistance is part of the training? Think about it: muscles grow when they’re pushed. Relationships deepen when they’re tested. Wisdom comes through failure, not just success. Growth is rarely comfortable—but it’s almost always necessary.

And God doesn’t waste it.

He doesn’t look at your struggle with indifference. He looks at it with intention. He’s forming something in you. Something stronger than comfort. Something more enduring than ease.

You might not see the full picture yet. You might feel like quitting. But don’t confuse difficulty with distance from God. He’s near. He’s working. And even the hard stuff can carry holy purpose. So don’t bail on the process. Let him finish what he’s started.

Apply

Today, when something frustrating or difficult shows up—whether it’s a tough conversation, a delayed plan, or just a moment of discouragement—resist the urge to escape or shut down. Instead, pause and ask: “What might God be formingin me through this?” Then, respond with faith instead of frustration. Keep showing up, even when it’s not easy.

Pray

Lord, you don’t waste anything—not even the hard things. When I face resistance or difficulty, help me to not run away or shut down. Teach me to persevere. To trust that you’re shaping something deeper in me than I can see right now. Form in me the kind of character that leads to real hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.