*Both the King James Version (KJV) and New King James Version (KJV) are used. The King James Version of the bible is known to be a faithful translation of the original languages of the bible that accurately conveys the meaning behind those words and events. It is known to be more scholarly than any of its predecessors. The New King James Version is used as a modern language update to the King James Version while preserving the traditional literary quality.
____________________________________________________________________
Count it joy when you are in trials…Wait what?
You may be thinking to yourself “Did I even read this correctly?” But seriously, scriptures tells us to do so:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 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 KJV).
Guys, this is so real! I praise God for all the trials I have been through constantly in the last two years, it has been one thing after the other, things I know I cannot even share or things that seem surreal. But know this, when the Lord tests us and gives us trials, he uses it for our good. Those trials build up our faith muscles. Faith muscles are basically the part of us that is capable of growing, being strong, and is in charge of believing in God, even if it’s unseen, as we know everything in the seen realm starting from the unseen first.
The more we go through and face trials, the more our faith muscles grow in the Lord and we are capable of believing and trusting in him more like never before. Just like our muscles, our faith have to be worked on to grow. Instead of working out in the gym or through at-workouts, this is done by a variety ways such as:
- Praying – This tremendously helps us build our faith muscles and form a relationship with God in our quiet time or when we our surrounded by others.
- Fasting – A method used to draw nearer to the Father by dying to our flesh by abstaining from physical food for a certain period of time. This time spent abstaining from food is used to focus on God by setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2 NKJV). When we do this, our flesh dies (fleshly desires that produce sin) and the spirit of God within us grows and produces the fruits of the spirit, which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
- Worship – True worship brings down the presence of God (Psalms 22:3 KJV). We are called to worship Him in spirit and truth. Worship to God can be as simple as righteously living your life according to His commandments He instructed to us in the bible or praising Him through a song.
- Reading the Bible – The bible is the word of God. In fact, it is God Himself. For scripture says in John 1:1 KJV “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” By spending time in the word of God by reading the bible, you are in fact spending time with God. Through that, He will use His holy spirit and the words you are reading to build up your faith. The word of God is powerful and can tremendously transform your faith in God.
- Meditate on the Word – When trials come, meditating on the promises of God will help to increase your faith. God is not a man that He shall lie, so every promise He gave you will come to pass. He is faithful and promises to never leave us, no matter what we face in life. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV).
- Study – It is one thing to read the word of God, it is another to know the word. To know the word of God, we have to study it and know it fully. Scripture instructed believers in Jesus Christ to have the word of God stored in our hearts. In Psalm 119:1 NKJV wrote that “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” When we know the word of God by heart, we can stand firm in God when trials come. We are not tempted to default back to sin by not trusting in Him. Instead, when trials come and there is no physical person around or even the bible, we are to be equipped and ready by having the word of God and all of His great promises in our hearts. This way, we remember that our trials our temporary but trusting Him throughout it is what grows our faith and produces our character.
- Scripture Based Resources – Watching a sermon, reading a biblically based book or even going through a blog post from faith filled Christian that has a relationship with God, are all useful ways to build faith muscles. The word of God you encountered or that was preached can strengthen you. The word of God says “ For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).
Through faith muscles we are able to trust and rely on God a bit more. If we were faced with a 10 ft dive and God got us through it, then when we are faced with a 20 feet dive we already know we can trust God to bring us out of this situation because he did it before and He can do it again. And just like he can do the same for 30 ft, 40 ft, 50 ft and so on , he can do the same in your life through the trials you are facing.
God has graciously shown me His goodness many times in this trial of a season, that though I face more trials of uncertainty, I am not worried. I put my faith in Him. That is the importance of building faith muscles – and let it have its perfect work in you child of God.
We get closer to God because we need him in desperation and through these challenging situations, we get to experience who God says He is. A provider, helper, deliverer, and father. If we never endured hard times and trials, we would never get to truly know God as all He says He is. God gives us opportunities to expand our faith further through the testing of trials.
If you did go through the trial you faced, you would have not had the opportunity to trust God and build your faith muscles. The word of God says “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 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). There is a profit from trials.
We need to have tests in order to have a testimony. It’s in the name.
So choose today to trust God in whatever you are going through. Scripture says “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrew 11:6 KJV).
Not only will you grow your faith muscles by trusting in Him, He will be sure to reward you for it.
Blessing: “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT):
____________________________________________________________________
Prayer: Thank you Lord for expanding our faith muscles day by day. Please keep us in your perfect peace and allow us to set our eyes on you during these moments of life that seem challenging to us but our needed for our growth in who you called us to become.
