Trials Come To Build And Strengthen Our Faith

Did you grow up believing if good things happen, God was on your side, and if bad things happen God was against you.  All of us go through trials and valleys. No one is immune.  God allows trials to help build and strengthen our faith, so we can make a difference in the world and grow in our wisdom in how to deal with life.

Faith and action work together. It requires us to live out what we say we believe. So why would a loving God test our faith:

·         Trials get our attention. When things are going really well how much time do we really give God? Do we only call on God when things are going well?

·         It tests our confidence in God. It shows if we really trust God.

·         It provides a witness to not only us but to others that our faith is real and growing.

·         Trials build our faith muscle that helps us deal with each new trial and learn that  we can trust in God.

Spiritual maturity is not about how much I know. It’s about how enduring is my faith. There is no such thing as a “Wrinkle-Free” life. Every person who has ever lived goes through trials and valleys in their life. The key is how we will respond to those trials and valleys. In the first chapter of James he tells us to ask for wisdom and God will grant it during these times; wisdom that helps to get us through the trials and tough times. Wisdom that helps us trust God and to remember the other trials in our life that God saw us through.

Trials should help us know that God is at work in our lives and not out to punish us. Obviously none of us is sitting surround going, “God please send me a trail. I’m bored and want to have one in my life.” Trials are not fun and some bring terrible pain and hurt to us and or our loved ones. Faith says, even though things aren’t like I want them to be I still believe in God and I trust him. I won’t question his goodness. Too often our joy and relationship with God hangs on what God has done with and for us lately.

Two questions I would like us all to think about, how would our life be different if we could see trials and troubles from God’s perspective?   What do you need God’s wisdom for right now in your life?

THE HEART OF SERVICE

Galatians 5:13-15

13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

What could happen in our world if we as Christians could really love as God commands?  I think we often forget that salvation comes with a responsibility to honor God in everything we do. I believe we often live like we have forgotten we represent God to the world.

One of my favorite hymns is “I Surrender All.” It says, “All to Jesus I surrender; Lord, I give myself to thee. Fill me with they love and power; let they blessing fall on me.” Don’t I wish I could really surrender all?  

As Christians we are all called to serve God. The goal for us is to glorify God by loving him and loving others, and as Jesus demonstrated, service is one of the main ways this happens.

Serving others isn’t optional or a suggestion for Christians. When we love others by serving them, we say to them and anyone who is watching, “This is how God loves you.” Now that puts a big responsibility on us.

Service begins with hearts motivated by love. When we choose to love others as God call us to, we choose to serve them. Because our freedom in Christ is so tied to serving we either choose to serve out of love or hold out because of our selfishness. There’s no middle ground.

I know in my own life it’s easier to serve those closest to me, it’s those who are difficult or believe differently than me that makes it harder for me to serve them.

But the power source for us to serve is not our own strength but that of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s role is to help us love and serve as God intended. Our ability to do the work of God and serve others comes from walking with the Holy Spirit daily by putting our trust in him and His power in our lives. The Holy Spirit is the only one able to keep our selfishness under control.

Remember that service provides a harvest. It may not come today or this week, but God has stated in His Word that if we sow persistently, then we will reap. This week, choose to love and serve others with the goal of reflecting God’s character so lives can be changed.

God Bless,

Bill Flint