“Faith grows strong by coming in contact with difficulties.” -Charles Spurgeon
I have never enjoyed stretching. I used to skip it or just go through the motions. But as I’ve gotten a little older, I’ve started to understand why it matters. Stretching in the morning is uncomfortable, but it prepares my body for the work ahead. Without it, stiffness sets in, and I feel it faster than I should.
Faith works much the same way.
James, the brother of Jesus, writes, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
When we face trials and hardship in life, it does not mean that our faith is failing. It means that our faith is being stretched. I believe trials stretch our faith in three ways. First, they force us to rely on God’s power instead of our own strength. Second, they build endurance and perseverance for the journey ahead. And third, they push us to trust in His plan even when we don’t see the whole picture.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When I can’t rely on my own strength or power, His grace is enough to carry me, and that is what makes me strong. So in 2026, let’s lean into the stretches, trust God in the hard moments, and step forward in faith knowing that His grace will carry us every step of the way.
The Bigger Picture: The stretch doesn’t always feel good, but it is often exactly what strengthens us for the road ahead.
The Bigger Picture 