That the trial [proving] of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ – 1st Peter 1:7.
When we look at the News Media, we hear gloom and doom. There is hardly ever any good news. Destruction and death are everywhere. We must have faith in God, not what we see, hear, or feel.
We know that we all will have opportunities to prove God’s Word is true despite the circumstances. I’m talking about those times when natural circumstances seem to offer no way out, and the devil is trying to tell you that you’re going down in defeat.
The Bible says there is a trial or testing of our faith. But some Christians argue that when we start living by faith, we’re not supposed to have any more problems. I wish that were true! But the truth is, we are not living in a storybook world where the main character lives “Happily Ever After” without ever experiencing difficulties in life.
We live in a world where tests and trials are a part of life, and victory only comes when we learn to make our faith in God’s Word work for us. Some believers do well in their Christian walk if everything goes smoothly. But when they face a test or trial, they run into difficulty. They become overwhelmed by the adverse circumstances and develop a negative attitude, “I thought the Bible said such and such, but I guess it doesn’t work for me.” “Why is this happening to me?”
Anyone can believe God when everything is going well. But you discover what you believe when you find yourself in a situation that calls for complete and utter dependence upon God. In times like that, your victory comes when you maintain a positive faith life and say, “Although everything seems to be against me, I believe God’s Word is true! I will win the victory, not because of who I am in myself, but because of who I am in Christ Jesus!”
When you go through a trial of your faith, you learn how valuable faith is to you. 1st Peter 1:7 says the proving of your faith is more precious than gold. Knowing how to believe in God is more valuable to you than millions of dollars. Nothing is more important than learning how to take God at His Word.
Without faith, you would be in trouble when you face a test or trial, but when you know how to believe in God in times like these, you can be sure of victory every time. Worry, anxiety, and fear will not bring you out; those are Satan’s tools. Faith in God moves and destroys Satan’s works, bringing you out with victory.
The Spirit of God leads us, whereas Satan drives us. Leading is different than force. The Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness, where Satan drives us into depression, anxiety, and other emotional despairs, just as he drove the demonic man into the wilderness. Satan imitates things that the Spirit does but with destruction.
You have the Greater One living within you. Place your faith in Him and the Word of God. Your trust in Him moves Him in your direction and circumstances. God will walk you through your difficulties to the entrance to something better!