James 1:2-4 ESV

Written by: Kathryn Gore

Testing of Your Faith

² Count it all joy, my brothers,^[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

If you're honest, you may agree you feel everything but joy when your faith is being tested. When faced with opposition that concerns you, your emotions do not make you jump up and down in the joy of the Lord (that part comes later). The truth is, you will feel an emotion that some in the church would call a "negative" response to what you are currently facing.

Is it possible we must feel the negative emotional response to call on the name of the Lord? Joy will come for sure as we walk through the process of acknowledging the situation at hand, evaluating what is real before you, and remembering who God is in your life.

The testing of your faith makes you stronger in the Lord. It helps you to recognize your weaknesses as a human being before an almighty God. It produces the steadfastness that James mentioned above.

Steadfastness - the quality of being resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

You will come through every obstacle you will face as you go through the process. God is faithful and true. He will never leave nor forsake you.