The Trying of Our Faith

None of us like to, “go through.” Many times when we hear that Christianese, our mind automatically goes to that special “sister” or “brother” whose response when you asked them how they were, responded by saying,” Child, I’m just ‘going through.’ You sometimes heard it so much that you wondered if they ever “got through!”

Well I’m not going to talk about that “sister” or “brother” – if you think that’s where I’m headed. No, because even if I didn’t say it, there were many seasons when I felt it! I felt like I was never going to “get through” the “going through” – and lived a day-to-day existence of “just getting by.”

It took many years, and many trials to understand that the fastest way to “go through” was to “get over it!” Once I had entered into “that rest” found in Hebrews the fourth chapter, it wasn’t long before I found that I had “gone through!” The trial was over – and even if it wasn’t – it felt like it!

The impulsive, emotional Peter that we know so well had this to say:

6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:1 Peter 1:6-8 (KJV)

I love Peter, I am not one to bad-mouth him, because I know that I have many of the same characteristics he had. Often I have been known to act first and think later – both for the good, and for the not so good. But one thing about Peter, once he got it – he could “preach the word” with such power – that thousands would respond. Give me such a harvest as this!

I confess that when things get me down, I sometimes still get my breath knocked out of me – and my basic melancholy nature tries to rule. However, the years on the back-side of the mountain have taught me to “get up, get moving, just begin to confess that you want to have a praise, put on some praise music, or just begin humming a tune – and next thing you know, “joy, joy, joy – to overflowing!” I dare you to say “Hallelujah” seven times and think you’re going stay depressed.

We are not in a warfare without artillery – it’s called PRAYER AND PRAISE!

Thank you Lord, you have indeed given to us as Peter once again said:

3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.:2 Peter 1:3 (KJV)

Bless you on this Lord’s Day!

Maria