Spiritual Warfare: 'Life’s Troubles Are Opportunities to Grow'

God's Power for Our Battles — Tuesday, January 20, 2026

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.
— James 1:2-3 NLT

Today's Prayer

Lord, I know it’s not a matter of IF trouble will come, but WHEN it will come. Help me to be prepared for those troubles and bring You glory in how I react to them. Remind me that troubles give me an opportunity to grow and mature as a Christian. Forgive me for my bad attitude about my past trials. Help me to see them as opportunities to grow in Jesus Christ as I face them in the future, and learn what I need to learn from them so I can move on in faith from now on. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

24 Related Resources by Heartlight

James 1:2-3
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
James 1:2-3
Devo: Today's Verse
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
Joyride!
Illustration of James 1:2
e-card of James 1:2 - Consider it pure joy my brothers when you are faced with trials of many kinds...
Hoof, Anvil, Fire, Wall, or Junk Pile
Article by Phil Ware
Where did you put your faith? Our faith can either be real and shaping us to be useful to God or it can be discarded or nothing more than a good luck charm.
See All 24 Related Resources about James 1:2-3

Illustration

Illustration of James 1:2-3 NLT — 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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Numbers 14:11
"Strive with all diligence to keep out that monster unbelief. It so dishonours Christ, that he will withdraw his visible presence if we insult him by....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Receive the Spirit' (Jn. 20:21-23)
"Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Silencing Your Enemies' (Ps. 8:2)
"[O Lord, our Lord] You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare