Bring it on!
The verse does NOT say, “Be happy…” nor “Be joyous…”. The verse says “Consider it”. In other words, when facing trials, regard this as a joyous time: “…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance….so that you may be mature and complete….” The purpose of these trials is to show me where I lack faith, so God can develop my faith, i.e., becoming mature and complete.
God is not concerned with my happiness or comfort. In all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28) because His will is to make me like Christ (1 Thess 4:3) and He is faithful to complete that work (Phil 1:6).
The peace (or lack of it) depends on how I respond. The question is not “Why am I going through this?” (because scripture has told us in James 1:3-4, 1 Thess. 4:3, Phil 1:6, and Romans 8:28) but “What do I believe about God right now?”
Do you believe He intimately loves you and is more concerned with your Holiness? Christ died for you simply because God loves you. God places you in trials for a purpose. If you do not believe this, this is where your struggle needs to be.
If you do believe that, then there should be no struggle! But– we are human, so I see three reasons for the lack of peace:
- I FORGET. The answer? Constantly wash yourself in scripture and engrave those verses about God’s promises onto our hearts and minds.
- I DO NOT KNOW. The answer? Be a part of a community of mature believers. Be in a consistent pattern of reading, meditating, and studying scripture to see how God works.
Hey, where’s #3? Don’t leave us hanging!
The rest of the devotion was cut-off. Here’s the rest:
3) I have CHOSEN. God is not doing what YOU want Him to do, or in YOUR time frame. In other words, we are choosing our purposes and our selves over God’s purposes and His plan. The answer? Consciously submit to Him daily.
Friends, it is not because we “don’t have enough faith” that we are experiencing trials and testing and fretting ourselves. This is all about God maturing our faith and forming Christ in us. What a joyous thought!
OK Marty…was this a trick to get feedback saying that there were 3 reasons, but only giving us 2?
Lea Anne–
I know–the rest of the devotional wasn’t posted…Did you see my first comment? The rest of the text is in there.
Marty…thanks for your F1A…for the encouragement and challenge. I really appreciate how God has gifted you in communicating clearly – weaving Biblical truth in your message. That’s a gift…thanks for using it here and in all the other areas you serve Him at CCC…and outside of CCC. Thanks my friend, Doug
Thanks, Doug! I agree, it is a gift from God