Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, 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.

The definition of PERSEVERANCE is:

Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

In Genesis 22:1-18 it tells the story of how God tested Abraham. God called him to take his ONLY son and make him a sacrifice on Mount Moriah. Despite the fact that it was his only son, Abraham trusted God and took his son up to Mount Moriah. Just as he was going to kill him, an angel of God called down to him saying:

Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay a hand on the boy, do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not with held from me your son, your only son.

Following that moment God sent a ram [a male lamb, symbolized Christ (lamb of God) taking Isaac’s place} to be the replacement in the offering. God tested Abraham’s faith in Him. And Abraham persevered. Even though he didn’t understand why God was calling him to do that, he trusted His plan. And God blessed Abraham, and an angel of God said:

I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not with held your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.

What an amazing story! A great example to us. I want to count it all joy when I go through trials, and to persevere. When I was writing this I remembered this song. I want faith like that.