Holy Toughness

by Skip Heitzig | Tuesday, July 29, 2025

You might remember an old song about dealing with troubles in life. It was called "Don't Worry, Be Happy." That's a good song when life is good. But if you're going through hardship and you hear that song, it is the most irritating tune on Earth.

The book of James deals with Christian maturity, and it immediately addresses life’s difficulties. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (1:2).

Now, be honest. You have probably thought, "Joyful trials? Are you kidding? My joy comes when the trial's over." So let me explain.

James was not saying, "Don't worry, be happy." Happiness is a passing emotion—it depends on outside circumstances. But joy is a supernatural delight in the Person, in the purposes, and in the people of God. And that's a decision you must make in your heart.

The word count means to consider, calculate, or evaluate. He was telling us to calculate the benefits of suffering and then embrace that suffering as a means to that end.

Christians are pragmatists. We rejoice in the benefits that suffering will bring, because no matter how dark it gets, it's for a good reason. There's light at the end of the tunnel—and then, when life is over, our reward is in heaven.

Trials produce patience (see v. 3), or perseverance. The idea of perseverance comes from two Greek words that mean "to remain under" or "to bear up under," so think staying power, heroic endurance, fortitude. It is having a holy toughness. When you are repeatedly tested and you prevail, you'll get tougher, and you'll be better able to handle what is coming.

"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (v. 4). You've got to let the process go on until that holy toughness is developed.

When the pressure comes, the first thing you'll want to do is quit. But if the gold doesn't remain in the fire, it will never be refined. If the Christian doesn't withstand the pressure, he'll never become what God wants him to be.

Usually, when we're going through a trial, we pray for deliverance. James says to pray for wisdom (see v. 5). Pray to find out what's up. "God, what are you trying to do here? I would like the wisdom to know what You're trying to teach me." That's the wisdom He's all about.

If you're going through a hardship and you believe God is trying to teach you something, learn what that is, so you won't have to go through this again.

If you pray to God for wisdom, He won't scold you. God has invited you to ask Him for wisdom. "But let him ask in faith" (v. 6). In other words, make sure you really want to know. That takes total submission to Him. Nothing is off limits. "Whatever it is You're trying to show me, I'm open to it all." Ask in faith, nothing wavering.

So let me ask you three questions.

Do you believe God is in control, that nothing is happening to you haphazardly, that He is orchestrating every single thing He allows to come into your life, even temptations?

Do you believe God is good, even though you may be unable to see it right now?

And are you willing to wait on Him until you see that good worked out—willing to remain under, to stay put, to learn perseverance, to develop holy toughness?

You can make a choice to count it all joy, and to let the moment of pain transform you. Ask Him for the wisdom to make your next move. He is good. His way is perfect.