Stirring – Perseverance

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

I have to admit, this is hard … sometimes it’s really hard. As I look back on the last two years of my life there have been times I have questioned my faith, questioned my God, questioned my calling, and questioned my effectiveness. You see when things get tough we panic and think something is wrong, therefore we begin asking the “What’s wrong questions?” Questions like:

• What did I do to deserve this?
• God, why aren’t you taking care of this?
• Did I listen to the wrong voice?
• Did I make the wrong choice?
• God, where are you?

Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions? 

I have asked these questions and many others.  But here is what I have learned, and trust me … I am still learning, when a situation arises, I need to ask these question, but I also need to decide who I am going to trust.  I can either turn to God and trust Him, or turn away from God and not trust Him.  I can either worry and live in fear, or I can worship and live in faith. But ultimately, the choice is ours.

I understand that when bad things happen, we are at a loss and begin asking some major questions! I can’t tell you how many times I have had a teenager ask me, “If God is a loving God, why do bad things happen to good people, even Godly people?” That’s a great question and I answer with John 10:10, where Jesus says,

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 (NLT)

We must remember, that we have an enemy.  He is determined to steal, kill, and destroy anything good that God wants to do in our life.  He want’s to steal our joy, so we don’t talk about God’s blessings, He want’s to steal our peace so we question our faith, our God, and our effectiveness, so we don’t talk about God’s faithfulness.  He wants to destroy our confidence, our influence, and our testimony for Christ so it kill’s our ability to be impact others for God’s Kingdom.  Basically he is out to make our life hell on Earth.

So, the next time a problem arises, ask the right questions, seek the Lord, and trust that He isn’t absent.  Turn the Worry into Worship, the Fear into Faith and let God do the impossible.  Pray Ephesians 3:20 which says,

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

You never know …  your greatest challenge, greatest obstacle, or greatest question, could be the very thing that God uses to show His greatest impact through you.  It could be Gods Refining Fire, that is burning away the impurities from your own life so He can maximize your influence for His Kingdom. Be Faithful!

Today, Let’s seek the Lord, Trust Him, and turn our Fear into Faith and our Worry into Worship! Let’s press through the tuff time and stay faithful to the Lord!