Growing In Faith In Trying Time

Growing In Faith In Trying Time, by Amy Severns

During a world-wide pandemic and endless speculation on our return to normal, I find myself relating to my dogs more than I would hope. 

A squirrel has been sighted and anxiety erupts. My thirteen pound terrier shakes uncontrollably while the brilliant boxer spins in endless circles. 

Although this scene is a bit ridiculous…I appreciate how my dogs feel. 

With anticipation, I find myself prioritizing restaurants I will eat at, places I will shop, and the people I will see once the shelter-in-place is lifted. 

A month ago, to the date of me writing this, my husband and I were enjoying lunch at one of our favorite places as we traveled to visit family. Two days later, that restaurant was closed.

Now schools are closed until August, church services have been moved to our homes, events are cancelled, businesses are closed and I feel like a hypochondriac after going into public. This is a heavy and puzzling time. 

However, recently I was encouraged by reading Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. This daily-devotional reading was focused on exercising our faith through the realities of life.  What stood out and genuinely challenged me was Chambers’ observation about a maturing faith during trying times:

“Until we have seen through that experience, our faith is sustained by feelings and by blessings. But once we get there, no matter where God may place us or what inner emptiness we experience, we can praise God that all is well. This is what is meant by faith being exercised in the realities of life.” 

After reading this devotion I knew that God was challenging me to exercise my faith without anticipating immediate blessings or positive emotions. I was challenged about where my heart truly lies.  

Later in this devotion, Chambers writes:   

“Dark times are allowed and come to us through the sovereignty of God. Are we prepared to let God do what he wants with us? Are we prepared to be separated from the outward, evident blessings of God?”

This passage struck a chord and pushed me to realize how often our faith is sustained by feelings and blessings. 

Through this time I am learning that I cannot rely on feelings to sustain my faith. Feelings are fleeting and blessings come and go. But God allows us to endure trials to experience His sufficiency.

This week through Jacob’s message on Philippians we got to see Paul’s response to his realities of his life. As a prisoner he fixes his attention on seeking joy and treasuring Jesus. What a perspective! Paul is not focused on chasing feelings or blessings, he is praising our Savior!

The realities of life might be different for many of us but we should know that our faith is a conscious process. 

Are you prepared to praise God through times of trial, emptiness, or struggle? 

God’s word has always said it best. You may have heard these verses several times before, but that’s because they say so much!

James 1:2-4 reads: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet many trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

If during this time you are feeling like you are being held to the flame and refined, remain steadfast. Exercise your faith by finding joy in the sufficiency of our Lord and take comfort in His refuge. 

John 16:33 “But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”