By Pastor Newton Coran

In every believer’s journey, there comes a time when the winds of life begin to howl and the rain beats against everything we've built. These seasons—marked by loss, uncertainty, stress, and grief—do not discriminate. Trials arrive without invitation, shaking our confidence and exposing the depth (or lack) of our spiritual foundations.

But trials also clarify. They show us what we truly believe, how deeply we trust God, and which virtues we have allowed to take root in our lives. When storms come—and they will—it is not shallow feelings or fleeting inspiration that sustain us. It is virtue—cultivated over time, strengthened by discipline, and empowered by the Holy Spirit—that anchors the soul.

This year, our spiritual theme is “Rooted in Virtue: A Year of Spiritual Practice.” As we walk through this year of intentional formation, it becomes especially important to highlight how certain virtues hold us when life feels unstable. Among the most critical for such times are faithfulness, peace, and self-control—each offering a spiritual grip when everything else threatens to slip away. 

Faithfulness: The Steadfast Root

Faithfulness is often misunderstood as mere loyalty, but in the context of biblical living, it is far more profound. It is the steady, immovable trust in the character and promises of God, particularly when His hand seems hidden. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “Let us hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23, NASB).

When the familiar collapses or the future grows dim, faithfulness keeps us from retreating into despair. It motivates the believer to continue praying even when answers delay. It compels us to gather with others, to worship, to serve, and to obey—regardless of how we feel or what we face. Faithfulness is spiritual grit. It is the holy determination to believe that God is still at work, even in silence.

This virtue doesn’t make the storm vanish—but it empowers us to endure it without forfeiting our faith. 

Peace: The Guard of the Heart

Few things are more valuable during a crisis than peace—true peace, not temporary numbness or denial, but the peace of God. This is the peace Paul described when he wrote, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NASB).

This kind of peace does not originate in external circumstances. It is not the absence of chaos but the assurance of God’s nearness and control amid it. Peace is a spiritual sentry, standing guard over the heart when fear tries to invade. It offers clarity when confusion creeps in, stillness when emotions are turbulent.

Peace is also a choice. It is the fruit of learning to cast our anxieties before the Lord, to dwell on His Word, and to submit our need for control to His sovereign will. It does not mean we stop caring—it means we stop carrying what only God can handle.

For the believer, peace becomes both a witness to the world and a shield for the soul.

Self-Control: The Strength to Respond Wisely

Adversity tends to pull at our rawest emotions. In moments of stress, we may feel tempted to lash out, shut down, make hasty decisions, or turn to ungodly comforts. That’s why the virtue of self-control is indispensable when life becomes overwhelming.

Paul’s instruction to Timothy is vital here: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NASB). The word “discipline” is sometimes translated “sound mind” or “self-control,” and it carries the idea of spiritual restraint and sober-mindedness.

Self-control allows us to respond rather than react. It governs our impulses, tempers our words, and protects our testimony. In a culture that often celebrates unchecked emotion, the believer who walks in Spirit-led restraint shines as a light of wisdom and maturity.

This virtue isn’t about suppressing emotion; it’s about directing it through the lens of faith. It’s about responding to life through the Spirit rather than the flesh. Self-control becomes the inner strength that preserves our peace, protects our witness, and positions us to hear from God clearly. 

Virtue as Foundation, Not Decoration

It’s easy to speak of virtues as spiritual ideals—lofty, admirable, but distant. Yet Scripture never presents virtues as decorative. They are foundational. They are the fruit of a life grounded in the character of Christ and nourished by the daily presence of the Holy Spirit.

What’s more, these virtues do not emerge in times of ease. Like roots that grow deeper when the wind blows hardest, these qualities take hold when pressure mounts. Faithfulness becomes visible when faith is challenged. Peace stands out in the presence of turmoil. Self-control is proven in the presence of temptation.

In this year of being Rooted in Virtue, we must recognize that virtue is not for display—it is for endurance. It is what equips us not merely to survive trials, but to be shaped by them. When storms threaten to unearth our confidence, it is these Spirit-formed virtues that hold us in place and help us mature in Christ. 

Living It Out: Practical Considerations

These virtues aren’t developed by accident; they require intentional cultivation. Believers can consider the following practices to nurture them:

• Daily Devotion: Spend time in Scripture and prayer, focusing on promises that speak to God’s faithfulness, peace, and power.

• Emotional Awareness: Recognize moments when fear or frustration arise and pause to invite the Holy Spirit into those moments before reacting.

• Accountability and Community: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can support your walk, encourage you in trials, and challenge you toward greater spiritual discipline.

• Journaling and Reflection: Keep track of how God sustains you during adversity, identifying how each virtue shows up in real-time. 

Final Thoughts

In life’s fiercest storms, we do not stand because of our strength—but because of the strength of what holds us. When our roots run deep in Christ, and we allow His Spirit to cultivate virtues in us, we discover a spiritual resilience that cannot be manufactured, only received.

Faithfulness steadies the soul. Peace guards the heart. Self-control orders the response. Together, they form a holy triad that strengthens us when the winds of life howl their loudest.

Storms may come—but when virtues have taken root, the believer does not fall. 

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