How to Survive the Faith TEST

There are times when I feel like I’m failing spiritually. My spiritual bank feels overdrawn when I go to check out a little faith, joy, or peace. It’s in those times that I wonder if I’m still in the game or if I’m just going through the motions.

When these times of faith testing come upon us—we have to first realize that it’s a test, not an indictment of our Christian faith. We have to be careful to resist making major decisions when we are going through these seasons of spiritual drought. This isn’t the time to leave our churches, pull out of ministry, discuss separation or divorce with spouses, or think about quitting our jobs. It’s the time to circle back to our Savior and humbly seek His direction for our hearts and minds.

God gets us when no one else does. He knows the triggers of disappointment, pain, and regret that pummel our hearts. His plan isn’t for our defeat, but for our good in the short and long term. (Jeremiah 29:11). What can we do to survive the faith TEST?

T – Take the time to reflect and meditate on God’s goodness and grace over our lives.
“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

God gives us unmerited favor especially when we don’t deserve it. When we are feeling spiritually withdrawn—this is the time for us to remember God’s goodness to us and our families.

E – Embrace the broad of hope of eternity that still engages our hearts and minds.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Our lives are bigger and broader than anything we can experience in this world. Eternity is more than real for those who are in Christ Jesus—we sense the presence of the Spirit who quickens in our hearts the joy of our future hope.

S – Stand firm in the truth of God’s word even if you feel wobbly and weak.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

If everything in our lives fail us—God’s word won’t do it! His word is above all and even our weakened faith can find strength through the truths of His word.

T – Turn our attention from the thing we want (but don’t have) to the possibility that God has a plan to bless us above and beyond what we could ask or think.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

We can’t outdo nor out give God. He’s exceptionally generous and kind to us in many ways that we don’t even know. Because He gives good gifts, we can stand confident that He will keep His promises.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I don’t always feel spiritual, but I know in faith that I’m spiritually solid in Your hands and in Your will. Increase my faith. Strengthen my resolve. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In His Service,

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