FAITH is a 5-letter word that will greatly impact our life as a Christian. As believers in Christ, we will be challenged in every way possible to either give up our faith or grow in it, and that choice is ours alone!
So ask yourself, “How do I handle the trials and troubles that come my way?”
Do I “count it all joy” like the bible says in James 1:2-4 TLB
“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete”.
I must admit I am not always joyful and happy through these times of testing. And if we are being honest, I don’t think any of us like to go through troubles or adversity! Even though we know that it’s producing some good fruit in our lives, it’ doesn’t make the process any easier, does it?
A perfect example are the Israelites who turned a short journey into a 40-year experience!
Deuteronomy 1:2-3 NKJV
Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir. But forty years after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the Lord had commanded him to say.
The Israelites spent 40 years on a journey that should have lasted 11 days. The tragedy is, it wasn't the distance of the journey that delayed their arrival no, it was the complaining, rebellion, ingratitude and self-centered attitude that led them to sin and then prolong the journey. This will strip you of hope and leave you with regret. It is a path that will rob you of precious years, and entire seasons of your life if you’re not careful!
Caution! "Sin will take you further than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay, and it will cost you more than you want to pay!"
There is a lot that hinges on our attitude during these times of testing. We must remember!
That God is still with us!
That we are not walking alone!
That He will get us through to the other side!
Our challenge is to allow God to do the necessary work in us!
God help us all not to waste time because we can’t see what He is doing.
And to have the right attitude in the process.
This is an important lesson for us all, thank God for His Grace and Mercy and not giving up on us!
2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT