Many times when life deals me a losing hand, I just want to lay in the bed under all my covers until it’s time for my hand to be dealt again. I would rather not deal with the tests, trials and temptations of the world. I would rather turn a blind eye to it and scroll through my social media feed. But, ignorance is bliss until it becomes destruction. I can’t walk through life ignorant, or blind, to the cards in my hand. These are the moments I need to be present and aware of what God is trying to teach me, instead of buckling under the pressure of tested faith.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1: 2-4 NIV)

There is an awareness attached to being a Christian which becomes keener as we mature in our faith walks. It is much easier to turn our attention to other things than to sit with ourselves and really figure out why situations make us so angry, so jealous, so unforgiving. To gain the wisdom that comes with tested faith, we must be present and aware in the good and bad. As we become aware and let God dismantle our false humility, pride, selfishness, doubt and all the other human ways we fall short, we will gain wisdom for the capacity of compassion, love, peace, joy, passion and increased faith.

I challenge you to turn off the noise of other people’s opinions, turn off the noise of TV and social media and turn your attention to God, the author of our lives. What things do you need to learn in your current season? God knows where you’re wrong and where you’re right. He knows what things you need to let go and what things you need to hold tighter. But, if we don’t quietly sit with God, our unawareness will continue and so will the same cycles.  

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NIV)

As we connect to our constant God, we won’t break under the pressure of tested faith. The power in trials will help us become aware of who we are and who we are called to be. Without God, we are only tossed helplessly to and from. Instead, let’s be present in our current situations as we hold on to an unchanging God — who anchors us through it all.  

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