The Trying Of Your Faith

I was once told by a good friend that you are either in the midst of a trial, going into a trial, or coming out of a trial. This is so true. Trials can really drag you down whether big or small. Everyone always has something to deal with. Christians are for sure no exception. Our trials are actually a trial of our faith. It is up to us to hold on and get through it. We are told to rejoice in our trials. That is a hard one for me but I know that it is the right thing to do. Christ is our example. Just think what he went through and his response was "forgive them, for they know not what they do." What is it to be a Christian? To be Christ like. Are Christians perfect? NO! We make lots of mistakes along the way. We have to fix them, dust our knees off, get up and try again. At least Christians are trying. Can you all tell I went through a trial today? Well, I did. Normally I call my "sweet daughter" or my "sweet husband" and talk with them about it and they always help me through it, but today I didn't bother them. I thought to myself how I have been trying so hard to read a chapter a day in the Bible and get down on my knees and pray and then it hit me! It is a test. I almost got on a pity party about my trial. It was a trial that I could do nothing about. I had no say so in it. It is easy to tell someone how you think it ought to be. It is always easy to blame someone else. This trial came from no where. As I was hanging my head about what was said to me, I realized that I needed to hear the WORD. I remembered a cd from a pastor of ours that has already gone home to be with the Lord. It is called "The Trying Of Your Faith." I have listened to it this afternoon and it has really helped me to know that when we go through these trials, big or small, they are to strengthen us. He told us to pray to the Lord not to remove the mountains but give us grace to climb it. He also shared with us Romans 5:3,4 where it says: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience, And patience, experience; and experience, hope. He also shared some things that Paul went through in his sufferings for Christ. It sure made my trial look really small. So I rejoice in my trials and I thank the Lord for them because HE says they will make me stronger in HIM. I sure didn't feel strong as I was going through this trial today. I realized though that I cannot make everyone happy. I can only do the best that I can do. My best may not be satisfactory for everyone but I do try so hard. But after listening to this cd and getting into HIS word I am feeling stronger. And just think, if this trial hadn't came along, I would not have listened to this cd today. When I think of all that Christ suffered for me it makes my little trials seems like nothing. I thank HIM for my trial today and I rejoice in it.

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.