faith tested

I would be willing to bet that if I asked anyone reading this blog would you like to have your faith tested, that you would all respond "no".  In fact I would be willing to bet that if you walked into any church in the world today and asked the very same question that overwhelmingly the answer would be "no".  I mean who would want to be pushed to the end of their sanity, their patience, and to feel totally helpless like you are drowning in your own world, self pity, and sea of problems.  We just don't want to.  We don't desire to.  I mean, who in their right mind would.....In fact, you and I would just as soon every always be peaches and cream.  But that is simply not reality is it? 

So how do you feel then when you read these verses in James:

^2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ^3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ^4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  (Jas 1:2-4., NIV)

Having your faith tested, is no fun.  Having your faith tested is not easy.  That being said how in the world can you and I "consider it pure joy" when we "face trials".  Start with the word "joy".  Joy is not talking about smiling and laughing, joy is talking about the person that gives us joy.  For the Christian the person that gives us joy is the Person of Jesus Christ.  What we need to consider is the Person of Jesus when we face trials.  When you and I compare our trials to what Jesus endured they don't even compare.  However, a trial is a trial.  Having a trial and comparing it to Jesus doesn't lower our stress level when going through a trial does it now.  The thing that you and I have to keep in mind is that eventually the trial does end.  At the end of the trial is when you and I can look back and consider the Person of Joy who helped us through the trial.  The purpose of trials to test our faith and develop perseverance.  It's not that its something that you and I want, but it's something that you and I need.  God wants us to be mature and complete in our faith.  Let's be honest a faith that is not tested, a faith that is not pushed to its very limits, a faith that is never questioned is not complete.

As much as we would love for our little world to always be perfect.  To always have money in the bank.  To always have perfect and sunshiny days.  To always have family getting along and communicating.  To always have everything go right at school, at work, and at home.  To have every day, month, and year be a carefree time.  Never in the history of all humanity has that ever happened, nor will it ever (at least while we are here).

So how do we deal with it:

• Perspective.  We NEVER like to hear this, I can say that because I sure don't, but the fact is that no matter how bad things are going for you there is someone who is worse off than you.  There is a mom somewhere that is working three jobs trying to raise her 4 kids on her own.  There is a veteran sleeping under a bridge.  There is a young lady that has been sold into slavery in a brothel.  There is a soldier's wife and family that just learned he will not be making it back from war.  There is a Dad that just got a phone call that his wife and kids where killed in a car crash.  There is a family wondering what they are going to eat tonight.  There is a child that has just been orphaned because his parents disappeared.  There is a thirsty child looking for clean water.  There is a senior citizen that has been dropped off in a nursing home that hasn't been visited by family in years.  There is a family that just found out that someone close to them has terminal cancer. There is a person that just took their own life because everyone gave up on them.  There are millions of people dying everyday without the hope of Jesus Christ.  I don't think I need to continue the list, I get the point... do you?
• Keep moving forward.  The biggest mistake you and I make during a testing of our faith is to stop.  To stop reading our Bible, to stop praying, or to stop attending a place of worship.  You and I may slow down during a time of testing, but it is important to keep moving.  Yes you will be tired, yes you will be frustrated, and yes you will feel like giving up, but don't!
• Serve.  Serving your fellow man, always makes you feel better and grows you spiritually.  Take the focus off you and put it on focusing on others.
• Exercise.  It is important to take care of yourself.  Get out and enjoy life.  Don't sit around.
• Have fun.  Intentionally do things you enjoy.  There is a lot of things you can do.  Whatever it is go do it.
• Learn.  Whatever it is that is testing your faith.  Learn from it.  Grow from it.  History always repeats itself, however mistakes in your life shouldn't be.

Jim Valvano's ESPY speech in 1993, in my opinion, is one of the best ever.  Here is an excerpt of it:

“To me there are three things everyone should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think -- spend some time  in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think and cry, that's a heck of a day.”
― Jim Valvano

Jimmy V didn't say this in the middle of one of the easiest times of his life, but towards the end of a long and hard battle with cancer.  His faith tested.

In the words of Jimmy V, when your faith is tested "laugh, think, and cry".

Just don't give up, don't ever give up.

Chris