Rejoice When Your Faith is Tested

I love the Book of James, and especially the first chapter.  Everyone will experience trials of some kind during their lifetime. For some, the trials will knock them out of church and sideline them from serving. For others, they will use the trial as a stepping stone to help them reach the greater things that God is trying to prepare them for.  James instructs us to "...count it all joy when we fall into various trials." That statement sounds ridiculous; but James realized that trials strengthen our dependence upon the Lord. Someone once said that "Without a great test, there can never be a great testimony." The key word here is "test." It is important to realize that God will test our faith, but God will never tempt us to sin as James explains in James 1:13.

James also teaches us that the testing of our faith works patience or endurance. It is through these times of growth that our faith matures and we see God in a whole different perspective. It's one thing to trust God when everything is going well; but it's another to trust Him on our difficult days and in the middle of difficult circumstances. Bible stories like Joseph, who was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten; will bring great joy when we see that it was through his testing that God positioned and prepared him to be a great leader. Abraham's faith was tested when he laid Isaac on the altar and raised the dagger. Job's faith was tested when he lost all that he had, but he refused to curse God. Daniel's faith was tested when he refused to bow down and was tossed into the lions' den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their faith tested when the door of the furnace was opened and the guards prepared to throw them into the fire. In each of these tests, the individuals passed the test and God poured out His blessings upon them. 

I will quickly admit that I've not passed every test. In fact, no one has. Life is full of adversity and we can either quit when we fail or learn from, rise up and build after a failure.  John Maxwell appropriately titled one of his books, "Failing Forward."  I encourage you to begin recognizing life's trials as tests of your faith. In addition, begin to realize that others are watching how you respond and your response will reveal what you really believe about Christ. My goal is to continue growing and maturing to the point that when others see me, they see a clear representation of Jesus in both the good times and in the difficult times. I don't like to be tested, but I sure do like to know God is pleased with me when I pass the test!

One of my favorite "old" songs about trials and times of testing is titled "REJOICE IN THE LORD" by Ron Hamilton. If you did not initially recognize the name, Ron Hamilton, you may recognize his alias - "Patch the Pirate." It was through the trial of losing his eye to cancer that God tested Ron and prepared him for an amazing ministry that would be launched by using his new eye patch. Click to hear Ron's testimony & the song. "REJOICE IN THE LORD" by Ron Hamilton.