God Working in Us

Sometimes life’s challenges feel overwhelming—but God is always at work in us. This Christian devotional explores how trials and difficulties refine our character, strengthen our faith, and deepen our hope in Christ. Rooted in Romans 5:3–5, it reminds believers that endurance through hardship produces lasting growth and a confident assurance of God’s love. Highlights Trials develop endurance and refine character Hard circumstances strengthen confident hope in salvation God’s love and the Holy Spirit fill our hearts even in suffering Endurance through trials brings glory and honor to God Faith is refined like gold through testing and perseverance God works in us even when we cannot see the outcome Scripture passages provide hope, purpose, and reassurance Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: God Working in Us By Lauren Fletcher Bible Reading: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” - Romans 5:3-5 Maybe what God is doing is working in you, I told my friend. I had run out of ideas. I didn’t know what to suggest. Her circumstances were not easy, and I could hear the frustration in her voice and tears on the other side of the phone. God must have a plan right now. In a season where she didn’t know what God was doing, I was sure He was doing something. I had heard this idea at church recently, that during challenging circumstances, God works in us. He works things out in us and through us. Whenever I go through trials or hard times, Romans 5:3-5 have been my favorite verses. It says that when we go through trials, it develops within us endurance and strength of character. There is something good that can come out of our suffering. One time, in particular, I can remember these verses speaking to me. During quarantine, sickness hit our home. At the same time, our air conditioner stopped working (it was late summer). I got a painful bite from what I guessed to be a horsefly. Then, our ceiling started leaking due to a storm. Surprisingly, at that point, I took it in stride, because so many things had been happening. I found my strength in the Word, in God. I turned to my Bible and read this passage from Romans aloud. If nothing else, I could trust that there is a purpose behind the hard things that happen. God is still doing something. He can work in us. Not only does God develop endurance and strength of character in us, but this passage in Romans says that “… character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:4). This encourages my heart. Paul continues, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” There is a purpose for our struggles, and we are reminded that our loving God is trustworthy. In this time of trial, my friend has also said that God is refining her. In 1 Peter, there is a passage that says, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7). There have been many moments in my life that I haven’t understood, but the changes within myself have been worth it. His saving me and growing me brought me to the closeness I have with God and a better understanding of the Gospel. Intersecting Faith & Life: Another passage to lean on during hard times is James 1:2-4: “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. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” How can the passages in Romans and in James encourage you during challenging times? Are you going through a hard time right now? Let His Word give you hope. Lord, Thank You that we always have hope in You. Thank You that there’s always a purpose for our suffering and that You are working something out in us. Thank You for what You are developing in our hearts. Lord, draw near to and comfort those who are suffering right now. In Jesus’s name, Amen...