The testing of your faith

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James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

As Christians we need to be aware that not everything is always going to go smoothly in this walk of faith that we have. Peter said, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) The Lord sometimes chooses to test the endurance of our faith, just like when you are training for a race. When you start training you barely make it half a mile and you are huffing and puffing, but every time you train you push yourself to go a little further. Eventually you are fit and ready to run the race. In the same way the Lord tests our faith, sometimes pushing us past the limits that we set for ourselves knowing that we can go further.

So many times when we go through something hard we start to get angry sometimes blaming God, and even questioning His very existence. What we often don’t realize is that during those times the Lord is training us up for our good, but like a toddler whose parents try to give an apple instead of the chocolate they really want, we have a fit. The key to these temper tantrums is knowing and trusting the character of God. He is a Father that loves His children, forming them in the womb, keeping our tears in a jar, and knowing the very number of hairs on our heads. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
There are so many things we can learn from the testing of our faith. Patience is one of the most important things we can learn as it will help us to lack nothing. Tribulation also produces perseverance, character and hope as it says in Romans 5:3-4. Through hard times we are to develop compassion for others. There are so many suffering people in the world, but when we suffer we do so with hope and purpose knowing that the Lord will eventually come to our rescue. It is intended for us to share that hope and purpose with others who do not have it because they don’t know the Lord. It is also for us to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ who are going through the same things. Most importantly God will be glorified through it, as Peter said, that when His glory is revealed we will be glad with exceeding joy.