Thursday, February 12, 2009

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.

14 comments:

Alice Grace said...

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus! He will comfort us in our hardest times if we only look and listen. Life is not always roses, but we can find them thru the thorns.

Patty said...

I have lived much of my life in James 1, so I understand. And now I believe most times I can honestly "count it all joy" !

Anonymous said...

Joy comes in the morning.
This too shall pass.
I am with you always.

Some of my short words that I fall back on when going through the trials of life.

Thank you for sharing with us.

Anonymous said...

This is a test! Only a test! Love you! Vicki

Latane Barton said...

I needed that so much this morning. Thank you for sharing so that you may reach out to others who have trials.

Krista said...

I like these words:

Sickness must be present for healing to take place.
Lives must be broken so they can be restored.
We must stop looking at our hard times like they are dead end roads, but avenues to prove that he is Lord.
It didn't come to stay it came to pass.

Unknown said...

Well then, what Satan meant for bad, the Lord turned it around for good. You listened to that cd and I know that is not what Satan wanted you to do. At first I thought this post was for me. And, in a way it is. Thanks!

Needled Mom said...

Wonderful post, Valerie. There is such reassurance when we turn our trials over too.

Anonymous said...

Thanks soo much, you have NO idea how much I needed to hear these words, and to know that I am NOT alone in my trials is comforting!!

Many Blessings....
Lori
PS would love to add you to my blog roll,just let me know If it okay!!LOL!!

Anonymous said...

Great post!! Trials are what makes us grow. If life was always easy we would stay stagnant and start to "stinketh" :-)))

count it all joy!!

Blessings,
Julie

Mari said...

Thanks for stopping by my photo blog. I enjoyed your post on trials also. I never like being in the middle of them, but I can always see some growth at the end!

Unknown said...

WOW!I am a non believer and recently fell up on some pretty hairy trials as of late. Thank You for coming to my blog and helping me see some light at the end of the tunnel, i do believe everything happens for a 'reason'. Your post was definately uplifting! Thank You!!!!!
Hugs,
Jackie

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

One other good thing came out of your trial: Your blog post has touched me and made me feel better about what my family is going through. Thank you, and thank God.

Samantha said...

I always find this scripture from Zephaniah comforting-
He will quiet you with His love and rejoice over you with singing.

Thank you for allowing God to use you and your trial to touch others...