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?