Faith - You Gotta Have It Sample

THE TEST OF FAITH

Our faith is the core of who we are as Christians. It is our substance, our very essence in Him. It is a spirit and an attitude. As we have been hearing, it is our confidence and assurance. Our faith grounds us, keeps us on track and steers us in the right direction.

It is our very core that is challenged when tests come. Trials are things that are going to happen TO us. A lot of the time, they are external and out of our control: financial strain, relational struggles, disappointment, health challenges, a global pandemic. But they develop what we have IN us: our faith and character. In the message translation of James 1 it says ‘You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours’. When our faith is tested, what is in us will come out of us.

What is your response when disappointment comes your way? It would be great if once you became a Christian you were free of hurts, challenges, and disappointments, but we know that is not the case. Life has disappointments. Things don’t always go the way we expected. Our faith will be tested. The question is: what will our response be when it is?

Can you think of a time when things didn’t go the way you expected? I can. Last year I was privileged to be involved in the recording of our church worship album. It had been months of practicing and preparing, learning lyrics, melody lines and rehearsing together. But three days before the recording night, my husband did a walking handstand, fell on me, and dislocated my knee! I can laugh about it now, but I assure you, at the time, I was not laughing. I had to miss the first night, and for the second night I hobbled onto stage, jumped on one leg, and sat down whenever I got the chance. I remember feeling so disappointed at having worked towards something for so long and not being able to give it my all. I felt like I had let myself down and let the team down.

It was at this moment my faith was tested. I remember so vividly hearing the whisper of the Holy Spirit question, “Is this really about you?” Here we were, creating music that would connect thousands of people with God, and I was in the corner making it all about me.

My example of disappointment was just an event, a moment. You may have been facing disappointment over and over again, for months or even years. I encourage you today that God is the great redeemer, he doesn’t waste a thing.

A test is an opportunity to reframe our perspective. There is a godly perspective to your trial. You see, when it comes to trials, James 1 addresses our response ‘Consider it pure JOY, when you face trials of every kind’. I don’t know about you but when I face a challenge, my initial response is never joy, let alone PURE joy! Yet that is God’s instruction to us – the test of faith is all about our response.

Today as you read the key verses, think about what tests or challenges are facing you right now. What has been your response? Has it been one of joy? How can I change my response and grow?