From faith to steadfastness to perfection.
Every Christian experiences trial. Sometimes through illness or the effects of old age, sometimes through accident, war or violence. Sometimes through the death of a loved one, mental illness or trauma. Or in many possible other ways.
James says this about this:
“My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything" James 1:2-4
So trial is valuable, but also very painful and therefore certainly not easy. Very difficult to go through and not something you look forward to. Not even by quoting a beautiful Bible verse I can making it feel pleasant; yet I honestly say:
“Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love Him.”, James 1:12.
In 2Cor11:23-29 Paul tells about his trials such as stoning, beating, imprisonment, hunger and thirst, lack of clothing, dangers in the desert and on the sea, false brothers, and so on. Yet he says in 2Cor11:30 that he boasts of his WEAKNESSES?!
“If I have to boast of anything, I will boast of my weaknesses.”
Paul also tells us that he received a thorn in the flesh and that he asked God to take away that thorn (2Cor 12:7-8), but God did not do so and answered: "But He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," 2Cor12:9.
Thorns are very painful. Christ received a crown of thorns prior to the crucifixion with nails which are worse than thorns. I feel sad when I think about his suffering, and tears come spontaneously. Our trials are also like those thorns; sometimes even like nails and we thus share in his suffering:
"always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body.
For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body" 2 Cor 4:10-11.
The suffering of Christ surpasses our suffering in everything. Yet I also know that suffering is very painful; mental and physical. Beautiful Bible verses will not turn that pain and suffering into something nice and beautiful. It's something you continue to do in faith despite it. And that is often really difficult. Sometimes almost impossible. You feel weak, powerless and impossible to function. And yet faith goes further than just our strength! Still praying for others, yet praising and thanking God and Christ. Yet continueing in joy and gratitude.
Your steadfastness belief thus becomes your first nature; a true believer. And this is how you are a true survivor:
“For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison
because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal,” 2Cor 4:17-18.
However, being tested and affliction does not turn anyone into a Christian; only your faith and laying that faith accordingly can do that, provided that as a Christian should you personally go out according to God's Will and (10) Commandments leading to the fruit of the Spirit. You can read more about that here:
About saving faith unto eternal life