God Sends Us Trials to Test Our Character, Part 1 (TMF:469)

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Peace to Live By: God Sends Us Trials to Test Our Character, Part 1 (TMF:469) - Daniel Litton
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       Most of us are probably never going to face imprisonment for our beliefs in this life, at least, I hope not. Some of us might, though, in the future. Nonetheless, focusing on smaller problems, why are we to have joy when we are in the midst of problems in our lives? If we continue reading the passage in James, he says, “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3, 4, ESV). But what is this “steadfastness” that James is talking about? Steadfastness means we are firm in our beliefs, and therefore unwavering when trouble comes. When marriage is difficult, a child is sick, we lose our job, our car breaks down—whatever it is—we are calm inside ourselves because we know God is in control. God will send trials into our lives in order to test our character, and our internal mindsets. No Christian is exempt from this. When a trial comes, we have one of two options, really. We can either let the trial mold and shape us into becoming firmer in our belief in God’s care and future provision, or we can wine and cry about our problem and start to move backwards in life. We can even shut down, and not want to go forward or do anything. We can let depression set in.