Here is one story of one mans fight through adversity.

Henry Martyn’s Fight

We simply must learn this lesson. Let me illustrate before we turn to Romans 15:4. Henry Martyn was a young missionary to India and Arabia and Persia in the early 1800’s. He had left his fiancé Lydia Grenfell behind in England in 1806 and would never see her again—he died at 31.

On the boat he fought back self-pity and discouragement with the promises of God’s Word. He arrived in Calcutta in May and two months later had a devastating experience. One of the veteran missionaries preached a sermon directed against Henry Martyn and his doctrines. He called his teaching inconsistent, extravagant, and absurd. He accused him of seeking only to “gratify self-sufficiency, pride and uncharitableness.”

How could this lonely young man endure such a crushing experience, and not only endure but during the next six years have the perseverance to translate the New Testament into Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic?

We can hear the answer in his own journal:

In the multitude of my troubled thoughts I still saw that there is a strong consolation in the hope set before us. Let men do their worst, let me be torn to pieces, and my dear Lydia torn from me; or let me labour for fifty years amidst scorn, and never seeing one soul converted; still it shall not be worse for my soul in eternity, nor worse for it in time. Though the heathen rage and the English people imagine a vain thing, the Lord Jesus, who controls all events, is my friend, my master, my God, my all.

Henry Martyn fought the battle against discouragement and hopelessness with the truths of God’s Word: “Jesus is my friend, my master, my God, my all!” And that is the way we must fight every day, and never stop until the war is over and the Commander puts the wreath of victory on our heads.
Three Truths from Romans 15:4

To instruct us and encourage us in this battle, let’s look at Romans 15:4.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by the steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

It focuses on three truths from this verse.

1. All the Scriptures are for our instruction.
2. All the Scriptures are intended by God to give steadfastness and encouragement.
3. All the Scriptures have this goal: to sustain our hope.

Read and read God’s Word. I find the Psalms very comforting especially Psalm 42:5 & 6

We’ve been tested recently at work. Our staff was questioning business decisions, as well as issues regarding respect, character, and loyalty. What the enemy intended for division, God used to unite us and He received the glory. Why? Management chose not to defend their actions or mandate compliance. Instead everyone’s concerns were heard. Genuine interest, compassion, and grace was extended. With light being directed into all places, the truth was exposed and the team has grown closer - one may even say that the staff is been unified.

My advise is to disassociate yourself from the test or remove yourself from the anxiety of the trial. Jesus often got away from the crowds to hear the Father. Likewise, what is the Father trying to teach you in this trial. God wants to teach you something - so I consider that an honor and I would be joyful that the Creator of the Universe is taking the time to train me. The tests in life will take on a new perspective. The greatest preparation for the trial is learning how to hear God’s voice and having a plan when the test comes.