What’s your response?
April 5th
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, 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
There was a point in time where I looked at my past as an indicator of the type of trial that would come. But if the purpose of a trial is to strengthen you, then using the old you as an indicator is like expecting an adult to be full off a bottle of milk.
Trials don’t look the same as the past because of your growth but the purpose of a trial is still refinement.
What situation requires more trust in God? What situation requires you to react the way He would react? What’s challenging you to think bigger? What’s challenging you to move differently?
Trials look different the more you mature in Christ.
The thing that may have been a stumbling block for you in your past might not cause you to stumble in a new season but whatever trial you do face will require more faith.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, 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
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.” Hebrews 11:1-2 NKJV
But what happens when the unexpected happens?
"And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Luke 22:31-32 NKJV
Luke 22:31-32, I was led to look up this verse in Greek and Hebrew and in other words Luke 22:31 says Simon, Simon, the accuser has desire (or demand for trial). To riddle and sift you like grain, especially wheat.
I define a trial as a light a momentary affliction, that is probably really just a simple decision. What makes this view of a trial hard is if you can still see things as just a simple decision during the trial.
Can you trust what you are not seeing and will you trust when you do not see? Will you pray and praise in victory or will you cry in defeat and despair?
"And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Luke 22:31-32 NKJV
One thing about trials is that they can make you forget that you are already victorious. The other thing about trials is, Christ knew they would come and He knows how we will handle them. Jesus didn’t pray for Peter to be strong enough not to fail but he prayed for the after failure. He tells Peter, after the fail, not only do I want you to return to Me, but when you do – use your faith to strengthen those around you. Don’t focus on having a perfect walk or the sifting or the situations that make us fall short but focus on returning to Christ strengthened.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, 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
You’re Going Through It. What Should You Do?
Remember the Word. Pray the Word.
"Why are you so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season and am not silent. BUT You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trust in You; They trusted and You delivered them. They cried to You and were delivered; They trust in You and were not ashamed." Psalm 22: 1-5
“I will praise You, o Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.. But the Lord shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgement. He shall judge the world in righteousness. And He shall administer judgement for the peoples in uprightness. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in time of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:1-2,7-10
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:4
“And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” Romans 8:28-29
God uses all things. During the Testing, He is not far but If He takes you out of the testing too early, your faith isn’t perfected and His will isn’t done.
Trust in God’s word, His will and His character
He cannot fail. He will not fail you and He will get the glory
If you’re still going through, He’s not done
Don’t grow weary in well doing, prepare your heart.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” Galatians 6:9
Perfect and Complete 
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