Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV

James describes faith as an unwavering, steady persistence in the face of trials. Many trials are described in the Bible, where in the face of great adversity, faith is not broken. Indeed, the Book of Job is all about being tested to limits we cannot even imagine. Yet, Job refuses to "curse God, and die." He gives thanks for the love of God who gave him his existence. In the end, he was rewarded beyond that which he once experienced. He lived many years and saw his great grandchildren.

Daniel was thrown into the lions' den and sealed there for praying to the God of Jerusalem. He was taken there to be killed by the animals for not worshipping the king, but had great faith and survived as God closed the mouths of the lions. He walked out with his faith unwavering, and prospered.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were banished to the fiery furnace for daring to challenge the king's decree to bow down and worship the golden image. The furnace was heated up seven times hotter than usual such that the soldiers who delivered them perished. Bound by cords, they fell into the fiery furnace, and by their faith in God were never burned.

These stories occurred on the backdrop of the Jews being in exile, far from their homes in a foreign land. How did the Jews survive? By persistence and keeping the faith. They were eventually rewarded by being allowed to return to their homeland.
How many of us could be faithful in the face of adversity? Even though we have all heard, "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger", does that really hold true? What trials do we face? We know people who struggle against the loss of job, home, family every day. Do we keep the faith? Are we rewarded if we do? I am firmly convinced that we are.

We all know the history of the persecution of the Christians during Nero's reign as Roman Emperor. Many were fed alive to wild animals, burned, and trampled as the Romans watched for entertainment. Indeed Nero would set fire to crucified Christians to illuminate his gardens at night. How did these people who had nothing but their faith face such a grisly fate?
What resulted was that the great conversion of Christianity was fanned by the flames of the martyrs. So those who died never knew their miserable deaths would reap the harvest of those who came to know Jesus as a result.

So that we, who have never seen Jesus, can believe. Therefore, let us rejoice.