Faith and Patienceনমুনা

We Must Allow Our Faith To Be Tested

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

- James 1:2-4 NKJV 

James said to count it ALL joy! This phrase is a concept that is very misunderstood. Most people focus on the first part of the verse without paying attention to the second part. We are not to count it all joy for the trial; we are to count it all joy for what the trial produces because of our faith being tested. We can’t skip parts of this passage. The “perfect and complete, lacking nothing” does not happen without the testing of our faith. 

Allow Your Faith To Be Tested

If you run away from a trial, you are not allowing your faith to be tested; you are strengthening the fear. How can you test your faith if you are not standing in faith? You can’t. 

Faith is an intentional act, not a passive reaction. If we run away from allowing our faith to be tested, patience will not be produced. James is saying here that patience is needed to experience all that God has for us; “that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Made To Pass the Test

Our faith will be tested, but the good news is that we are made to pass the test. We are overcomers. (1 John 5:4-5) We are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37) No one test is bigger than you. Believe today in who God said you are! If He says it, believe it!

It’s An Open-Book Test

Open-book tests are great because you can get the answers during the test. The book that you need for the test of faith is the Word of God. Don’t try to pass the open-book test without opening the book. Don’t focus so much on the test that you forget that you already have the answers. The Word is powerful, and you have access to that power. Don’t try to guess the answers. Speak the Word.

David’s faith was tested with Goliath. David didn’t run away from Goliath! He knew who He was.

David started the test, talking. (1 Samuel 17:45 – 47)

David ran at Goliath, talking. (1 Samuel 17:48)

David cut off Goliath’s head (1 Samuel 17:51) and went around town as an example that God is how you get “ahead” in life. (That will always be funny!) 

Allow your faith to be tested. You are made to pass the open-book test.

Confession Today

Today, I will allow my faith to be tested. I will not run away from the test. I will not avoid it. I will show up knowing that I am made to overcome it. When I do this, I will be made perfect and complete and won’t lack anything. I am made to pass this open-book test by speaking the Word of God.