The Test of Faith
Devotional Reading: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3 ESV
Our faith is the core of who we are as Christians. It is our substance, our very essence in Him. It is a spirit and an attitude. As we have been hearing, it is our confidence and assurance. Our faith grounds us, keeps us on track and steers us in the right direction.
It is our very core that is challenged when tests come. Trials are things that are going to happen TO us. A lot of the time, they are external and out of our control: financial strain, relational struggles, disappointment, health challenges, a global pandemic. But they develop what we have IN us: our faith and character. In the message translation of James 1 it says ‘You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours’. When our faith is tested, what is in us will come out of us.
What is your response when disappointment comes your way? It would be great if once you became a Christian you were free of hurts, challenges, and disappointments, but we know that is not the case. Life has disappointments. Things don’t always go the way we expected. Our faith will be tested. The question is: what will our response be when it is?
A test is an opportunity to reframe our perspective. There is a godly perspective to your trial. You see, when it comes to trials, James 1 addresses our response ‘Consider it pure JOY, when you face trials of every kind’. I don’t know about you but when I face a challenge, most times, my initial response is never joy, let alone PURE joy! Yet that is God’s instruction to us – the test of faith is all about our response.
Today as you read the key verses, think about what tests or challenges are facing you right now. What has been your response? Has it been one of joy?
Prayer and Confession
I declare that though my faith is tested, I choose to respond with joy.
Further Reading: 1Peter 1:6-7, 1Corinthians 12:10
