Is God Testing My Faith?

I proclaim that I trust God. I urge others to trust Him, too. But what if God asks me to do something I don’t want to do, something really difficult? Is God testing my faith? Will I pass the test?

Charles Stanley said, “The only way to know how much faith you have is to have it tested.”

But suddenly, doubt shows its ugly head and you think, “Is this really God’s will? I need an angelic visit to know for sure.”

But will God send an angel? Probably not. So can we trust the witness of the Holy Spirit within us?

Jesus said,

“ … I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth … you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

Questions of doubt will wreak havoc in your mind if you let them. Instead, we must depend on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to strengthen our spirit.

The key word in faith is focus.

Dr. Charles Stanley

Where is our focus? Are we focused on God? Or, are we focused on what brings more doubt? When the disciples were in the storm, what was their focus? Was it on Jesus or was it on circumstances? Jesus had just healed all the sick when they set out in a boat. When a storm arose, the disciples woke Jesus and said, “Lord save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He rebuked the wind and the waves and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:24-26)

They had been focused on the winds and waves, not on Jesus who was right there with them.

CONSIDER ABRAHAM

Abraham may have had similar doubts when God told him to sacrifice Isaac on the altar. But,

 “(Abraham) said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Genesis 22:5 NIV

Abraham believed that God would provide the sacrifice and He and Issac would both return. And they did.

Is your faith being tested? Is God asking you to trust Him? Will you trust Him to guide you? To protect you? Do you have faith in His faithfulness?

FAITH IN HIS FAITHFULNESS

“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.” Hebrews 11:11 NIV

“Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
    as enduring as the earth you created.” Psalm 119:90 NLT

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV

“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” Proverbs 16:9 AMPC

“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3 NIV

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

He promises to guide us. Will we believe that promise even when it’s difficult? Jesus said,

” … when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 NIV

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV

“The LORD will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:8 NLT

TRUST GOD WITHOUT FEAR

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.‘” Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV

“By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid …” Hebrews 11:23 NIV

“By faith (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the King’s anger …” Hebrews 11:27 NIV

“For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.” 2 Timothy 1:7 TLB

WHAT I LEARNED:

1. God will test our faith. He already knows what we will do, but we will, ourselves, learn how much faith we have.
2. He is faithful. He has promised to lead us and guide us in the way we should go. We must trust in His faithfulness and love.
3. We must trust God without fear.
4. We must focus on His promises, the Word of Truth.

My Prayer

Your love, O God,
Will hold us near.
It shields us from
our darkest fears.

In times of darkness
Where I can't see,
Your loving eye
Will watch for me.

When I can't see
What lies ahead,
I'll trust you, Lord,
And what You've said.

Your promises 
Are my delight.
They guide my way.
They are my light.

With my whole heart
I trust in you.
Your loving hands
Will see us through.

Your faithful love
Forever watches
Your precious child
In all Earth's places.

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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1st Photo by Alex Radelich on Unsplash