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.
Evening Thought: Hosea 11:4
"Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love; but ah! how backward we are to run towards him! How slowly do we respond to his gentle..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Building Up Each Other' (2 Co. 1:23-2:11)
"Dear Father, giver of great joy, I hope that in my effort to get others to live for you that I will never lord it over their faith. Help me work with..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'ASK!'
"Dear Beloved, We are returning today to what is often called My Sermon on the Mount. What I want you to see today is a clear, simple, time-proven..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 15:5-6
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth 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