Keeping the Faith

1 Peter 4:12-19
Suffering for Being a Christian 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"[a]
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.



Some days I feel like my faith is on trial and Satan has a grip on my day. This causes me to unfortunately lose my confidence in God’s ability to get me through the situation. But, once I get past the wind being knocked out of my overconfident sails I stop and ask the most important question: “Why am I going through this challenge and am I going to STOP and LISTEN and BELIEVE that God will get me through this????” I just spoke with my son about this question. Right now my family is going through so many trials. I consider myself a positive person in most situations but right now I am struggling to keep my feet on solid ground. I want to run away from all the issues I am facing and just say ENOUGH, I am only one person (and I am extremely human).

Okay, being human is downright a disadvantage. BUT, if we sit back, take a deep breath, and remember that God ALWAYS has a purpose for testing a believer’s faith. He will stretch us so that we will have a greater capacity to serve him. Though at times we my feel we are at our limit, the process actually occurs gently, like stretching a new rubber band a little at a time. With each extension, we grow in our capacity to serve God and bring him glory.

It is so easy to trust God for certain things more than others, but God desires our complete dependence regardless of the situation. That is why He will test us in the same area repeatedly until we can successfully hold up under the pressure.

Just remember we will be both successful and we will fail in the process of growing in our faith. The disciple Peter had his share of both. But, if we look at Peter’s life we will see the Lord stretching him (like a new rubber band) and we see his capacity for serving the Lord grow. In the book of Acts, I is Peter who fearlessly preaches at Pentecost and also heals a lame man without a shred of doubt. (Acts: 2:14-36; 3:1-7).
As we mature as Christians God will continue to test us. And if we remember that he has a purpose for our lives we will gradually see the true plan for our lives emerge. So remember KEEP THE FAITH.