Know that the testing of your faith produces patience.
As followers of Christ who are faithful, we will have things happen that will actually "test" our faith.
* How can we know that something is testing our faith?
* What does that exactly mean?
We can know our faith is being tested when a circumstance throws us a curve ball - usually when something unpleasant happens. That 'unpleasant' something could take the form of a person or circumstance.
I know that when bad things happen in my life, I don't automatically think to myself:
"Wow, isn't this bad thing great?! What an awesome opportunity to view it as a test of my faith"!?
No. I usually just get bummed out...which could take one of many forms.
BUT.
What if I DID look at my life circumstances as a test of my faith?
What exactly would that mean? How would it look?
When was the last time you or I encountered a difficult situation, whether it was regarding a person or a circumstance?
Did we get "testy"...or did we take it like we would take - oh, I don't know - take a test?
If we were to give ourselves a grade to reflect how well we dealt with it, what would you have given yourself? What would I give myself?
An 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D'...or 'F'?
As followers of Christ who are faithful, we will have things happen that will actually "test" our faith.
* How can we know that something is testing our faith?
* What does that exactly mean?
We can know our faith is being tested when a circumstance throws us a curve ball - usually when something unpleasant happens. That 'unpleasant' something could take the form of a person or circumstance.
I know that when bad things happen in my life, I don't automatically think to myself:
"Wow, isn't this bad thing great?! What an awesome opportunity to view it as a test of my faith"!?
No. I usually just get bummed out...which could take one of many forms.
BUT.
What if I DID look at my life circumstances as a test of my faith?
What exactly would that mean? How would it look?
When was the last time you or I encountered a difficult situation, whether it was regarding a person or a circumstance?
Did we get "testy"...or did we take it like we would take - oh, I don't know - take a test?
If we were to give ourselves a grade to reflect how well we dealt with it, what would you have given yourself? What would I give myself?
An 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D'...or 'F'?
Do we "rule"... or do we let the Holy Spirit "over-rule" the actions we may have wanted to take initially?
When we allow our faith to rule...it not only results in a good 'score'...it results in patience, endurance and perseverance that will eventually 'kick in' before we are even tempted to 'do' something that will result in -uh- a poor 'score' as we are dealing with those life things that constantly surround us.
God doesn't tempt us...but He does test us. Our faith is tested.
And that's a good thing.
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