Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. ~James 1:3 (AMP)
Excellent character traits like faithfulness, commitment and patience do not become a part of our lives by accident. They come by making good decisions in the midst of temptation, adverse circumstances, and crisis. You cannot have a victory without a battle, and you cannot have a testimony without going through a test. In Proverbs 30:8-9 scripture reveals to us what a heart that seeks to make good choices looks like saying “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (NIV) This scripture reveals to us there is going to be temptation in the midst of our trials. Those who suffer poverty and lack are tempted to steal; those who have too much are tempted to forget their provider. God shows us by these scriptures that it is ok to pre-pray. It’s beneficial to recognize what our temptations may be down the road and pray for the strength and resilience to stand in the day of evil. It even goes as far as to teach us to pray for only the amount of provision that we can handle to keep us in balance! Those type of prayers will hold us and others up, but we must be willing to look ahead and know where God is taking us and prepare for the trouble that comes against our minds when we are weak or weary.
In Romans 8:28 we are told “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV) God is always faithful to this promise, but wouldn’t we like to have the wisdom to avoid some of the time we spend in the trials and the strength to avoid the temptations altogether? Of course, we would. But we are in no position to face our weaknesses and temptations until we are made aware of them. Have you ever examined your actions during a time when your patience was being tested? I love the story of the couple arguing and the pastor knocks on the door. Both drop the argument and are all smiles for the next hour while they have coffee with the pastor and discuss the Sunday School program. Have you ever had to put your fit on pause? The next time you are angry take a step back and think of what it would be like if your pastor or your boss or even your neighbor was visiting. You can choose to act; accordingly, you can choose to forgive in the moment, help a neighbor out or even lay down your anger and when you do it consistently you are building godly character in yourself. When we refuse to look ahead and miss the chance to pre-pray, or what the Pentecostals would say “pray up”, we can be confident that God is still working all things out for our good but that doesn't mean we couldn't have avoided some of the suffering. Take time to think about what you are thinking about every time your emotions get out of whack and God will reveal to you the right choices to make. God says, "take hold" of eternal life, that means we play a part. Get your battle plan ready for your next temptation and go fight the good fight of faith.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. ~1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)
Do your actions reflect your faith during times of trials and temptations?
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