Trials Challenge and Assure

Faith is our spiritual muscle. Prayer is our workout. The Word is our diet.

When our faith is tested our endurance has a chance to grow. so LET IT GROW, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:3

Isn’t it amazing that we have non-stop testing. Because we are non-stop growing and aging!

If we look at how brief our time is on earth, our “testing trials” we should be thankful for, if we believe they are refining us into what God has called and created us to be.

I’m learning the more we surrender our lives to His plan, seeking His Kingdom first, the more He grants to the desires in our hearts. When we pursue our own way, I feel God at times says “sure you want all this, I’ll give it to you, let it destroy you, and I’ll be here to rebuild with you.”

Remove the “Why me?, Why this, Why Why Why?” and transform that to “What will I (God through me) do now!” The enemy traps most people on “Why Blvd.” this is an extremely dark and dangerous street to hang out on.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

We are to respond with joyful praise and thanksgiving when we face trials (of any kind), go through the dark (uncertain) places, and feel the weighted pressure of growth. Trusting and obeying the Spirit regardless of circumstance.

We don’t have to be frozen in fear while waiting on an outcome. As long as we are here, we will be waiting on something. While we wait (train), we remind ourselves “the Lord fights my battles!”.

“Perspective of suffering” is something that society has taken and applied “victim mode” to, as if anything can grow without painful pressure. If we look at trials/test as “seasons of training” they can be digested as “championship fight nights”.

You desire to win (walk with God), you train to be on top (championship belt), you enter the ring win or lose, you go back to the training room to sharpen your skills and stay in shape. (Word, Prayer, Pour out)

Here’s two reflective questions to ask yourself to check the posture of your pain;

 - What truths of God’s character meet you right where you are?

 - How has God grown and sustained you through trials/temptations?

Gain Wisdom, Gain Strength – tests reveal doubts, weight reveals weakness. Resisting deception is resisting the devil. Punch that darkness in the face!

Trials are good. Test are good. Tests in school show you if you’re comprehending the information being taught.

God is our teacher, our Father, our Examiner.

“Faith in response to suffering, amazes both the good and fallen (dark side) angles in the spiritual realm!”

Pass the test,

Anthony Luca