Those who received this letter were being seriously persecuted Even as their lives were being systematically torn apart, they had patience and faith (2 Thessalonians 1:1-10). Believing that God is directing your every step in the midst of trouble will produce peace (Ps 37:23).
The Bible describes faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). The three key words and phrase are hope, evidence and not seen.
The very definition of faith means we do not see something. We may be mystified as to the purpose of our trouble. So that our faith in one sense is not based on understanding or seeing the positive outcome. But there is much evidence on which to base our belief that God is busy using our circumstance for his glory and our benefit (Romans 8:28-39; 1Peter 4:12-13). We know he often works in secret, but eventually reveals what he has been doing (1 Corinthians 13:12-13).
So we patiently wait the outcome (Psalm 37:7-11).
