The Test of Faith
By definition, Test is a procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, especially before it is taken into widespread use.
God now and then permits us to enter into disheartening circumstances for the essential reason of testing our confidence.
James 1:2-4 Amplified Bible
Consider it nothing but joy, my [a]brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
Numerous Christians think once they’ve made that choice for Christ that everything will drop into put and life will be that world-renowned bowl of cherries. And when trials and extreme times come upon them or proceed, they start to address, “why?” Pondering how they seem conceivably to persevere appalling circumstances and consider it bliss.
Peter also addresses trials versus joy In 1 Peter 1:6-9
New International Version
6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
In both of these verses, we see the instruction of what we ought to do. ‘Consider it immaculate joy…’ ‘In this, you enormously rejoice…’ Why? Trials make us more grounded. James, clearly states that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And Peter states that our confidence, which is invaluable, will be demonstrated honest to goodness and result in laud to God. But how? How can we discover delight within the middle of all the garbage, hardships, and difficult circumstances?
First and foremost, we need to realize that worldly joy is different from the joy the Spirit gives. Worldly joy or happiness comes and goes like waves. It cannot sustain us when we lose a loved one or face bankruptcy. As for the Spirit’s joy, on the other hand, it can last for a long time. For the believer, the fruit of the Spirit, including joy, is like a bottomless well of water that’s never exhausted. There is joy in God’s presence even in the darkest of days when sorrow, grief, and loss threaten to overwhelm you.
No matter what trials God has appointed for us during our lives, ultimately we will be able to remain faithful to Him by His power, and not our own. We will not be able to maintain our faith through our own personal loyalty or dedication.
Every trial can be considered joy, every trial can bring you joy that is inexpressible and full of glory, even when you feel as if you are buried face-first in the mud.
In the end, if you have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ, you have all that you need to endure whatever circumstance is making you feel quake in your boots right now.
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