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?
