The Trial PROVES Our Faith-Marriage Restoration

Hello Standers!

The first few verses of James are truly remarkable. Let’s start here!

³ Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. James 1:3

Last week, I did a video on trials (see link below) and how those trials are TESTS, and if we view them as such, we can posture ourselves for victory.

Today I want to throw another factor into the mix.

Trials are meant to EXPOSE to your what prevents you from reflecting Jesus. Our trials of EVERY kind and size are meant to show us where we need to change so that we REVEAL HIM.

But in order to DO that, you have to desire to. You have to be willing to take those trials and want to become a reflection of Jesus. Which means you have to be willing to die to self and change. This is not an easy task. Especially when we are living or standing with an unbelieving spouse.

We would rather point the finger at them and tell them what is wrong and how they need to change. Peter tells us, our conduct, our behavior is how we win over unbelievers, NOT our words!

if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over. 1 Peter 3:1

Our flesh doesn’t want to hear that WE have to change first in order to help them change, that just sounds like way to much work! We would rather remain self-serving, righteous, and prideful. Choosing HUMILITY seems so degrading and makes us look pathetic and weak, at least that is what our proud flesh tells us.

But everything that we love the most about Jesus, didn’t come by way of pride. It came through the nature of humility. We all know what drove satan and was the reason he was booted from his position in heaven-PRIDE.

James tells us that the trial will PROVE our faith. That annoying thing you are going through right now, that painful situation, that horrible circumstance, those things that have you angry, in tears, feeling helpless, hopeless, defeated, alone and ready to walk away are here to for the PROVING of your faith. If the whole basis of being a Christian is our faith, then we can say, that trial is here to prove our Christianity. That trial and how we handle it is what sets us apart from nonbelievers.

If your unbelieving spouse sees you handle your situations no different than the world handles it then HOW will they see a better way?

If they provoke your prideful flesh to react in offense instead of humility. If your anger and judgment speak first if your self-righteousness has more input then humility and love for yourself to be right above love for the person is your driving motive, than you are not walking toward in denying flesh and dying to self. We won’t fit through that narrow gate when we are FAT with fleshly things that as a Christian we are required to fight each day and kill off us.

Self is very demanding and seems to revive itself every time you put it to death. yes we do become more aware of when it shows up and tries to lead us, but it seems to be this constant battle that we must face. That is the trial of EVERY kind that we face. And James tells us this is a GOOD thing and one that we can find JOY in.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, James 1:2

This is a perfect time to talk about what JOY is and why it’s so important.

Consider if pure joy-CHARA-the awareness (of God’s) grace, favor; joy (“grace recognized”).

Our lack of understanding will often read “we are to consider our pain unimportant and to be ignored, overlooked and tossed aside. That God doesn’t consider it important enough to have empathy for.” 

King James Dictionary gives this as the definition of JOY. I encourage you to write this, and keep it close so you can memorize and meditate on what JOY is.

1. The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits.

We are to get excited at the opportunity that our trials bring to us. We are to feel PURE JOY that those trials are here to prove and bring AWARENESS of God. To open that door to a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him.

We are to have joy in what that trial has pushed us into….leaning, pressing, seeking God for our comfort, strength, help, answers. That is why the JOY of the Lord is our strength. The AWARENESS of the Lord is our strength. This knowing increases our faith.

³ Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. James 1:3

When that trial is faced with JOY-Awareness-our faith increases because we have faced that trial drawing closer to God and becoming acquainted with Him on deeper levels. This changes how we operate. Instead of trying to manipulate and control, it helps us rest and trust. Instead of being self-righteous, it helps us to be loving and humble.

May we learn to embrace each trial with the expectancy of the BEST outcome, for our faith to increase. and as we get excited, knowing that trial will help us draw closer to Him.

Standing with you,
Sheila Hollinger