Tiến sĩ Tan Tech Zinc

DAILY REFLECTION
8 April 2026

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”  
James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭

In February 2014, I had the privilege of serving as Deputy Organising Chairman for the International Marriage Renewal Festival in Sanya, Hainan Island. I was entrusted with bringing 26 distinguished Christian business and political couples from across Asia to join 100 influential couples from mainland China and the US. Our shared vision was to strengthen marriages, restore family values, and build meaningful bridges across cultures.

However, what began as a hopeful and purposeful gathering soon took an unexpected turn. The presence of influential spiritual leaders—both local and international—drew close attention from the authorities. Before the festival could even begin, the convention venue was suddenly shut down. Everything we had carefully prepared was disrupted in an instant.

In that moment of confusion and disappointment, James 1:2–3 became very real to me: “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

For many couples, the closure was painful and difficult to understand. Yet beneath the surface, God was at work. This trial was not meant to stop us—it was meant to strengthen us. Our faith was being tested, not to break us, but to refine us. What seemed like disruption was actually part of God’s divine process, building perseverance and deepening our trust in Him.

In an unexpected turn, the authorities eventually allowed us one hour to proceed with the ceremony. In that brief window, something far greater unfolded. Vows were exchanged, hearts were strengthened, and faith was deepened. What appeared to be a setback became a powerful moment of spiritual breakthrough.

This experience reminded me that every challenge carries purpose. Every setback can become a setup for growth. God uses trials to develop endurance, maturity, and unwavering faith in us.

James 1:2–3 calls us to trust God’s hand, even when His ways are beyond our understanding. When we embrace the purpose behind our trials, we can stand firm in any season—confident that God is shaping us into people of enduring and victorious faith.

You are not being destroyed—you are being developed.