Challenges – Nothing pleasant, they don’t feel good, makes one want to crawl up into a fetal position or just break down and cry. But, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I encourage you to not GET WEARY IN WELL DOING. You must change your perspective on challenges.
This Christian walk is about facing challenges because this is the vehicle whereby we grow and mature into the manifestation of what God has called us to be. When you consider an infant and all of the challenges presented to them from day one of birth, you count it all as a part of their growth process. As parents, what do we tell our children when they feel as though they just can’t take it? We encourage them and tell them “it’s alright, you’ll be ok, you can do it”! When they fall after trying so hard to stand up by themselves, what do we do? Pick them up, brush them off, straigthen their clothes and tell them to try it again. Usually the child/baby will not want to try again because they feel it is too hard, they may not want to budge and they begin crying and throwing a fit, but as a good parent, you push them to try it again. Some babies have to be encouraged more than others but when it’s all over, the baby will pass the test of that particular challenge and move on to the next level.
We too, from the infancy of our new birth in Christ to the present and beyond, have to count all of the challenges we face as a part of our Christian growth process.
From my experience in interacting with others, I’m convinced that if each believer knew they had someone they could call right in the midst of a challenge to get a word of encouragement, many would not faint at the thought of going through a really tough challenge. It is at this point that believers must become helpers one to another.
It is unfortunate that when new converts come into the body of Christ, they are not made aware that it is now a process of growth into Christian maturity and that involves the method of testing or challenges. Why the tests?
Let’s consider the exhortation from Apostle James in his first chapter (Ja. 1:2-4). “Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” (Amplified version) THAT’S GOOD NEWS!!!!
Too often, we don’t want to go through trouble unless we know all about how it is going to turn out. Understand this, trying to know everything and trying to figure out everything is like trying to control God. Get pride out of the way and submit yourself under the mighty hand of God. Man in his carnal state will always have a driving force to control everything in his environment. It is a part of that enmity between man and God spoken of in Genesis. The flesh wants to have complete control of everything, yet we find in the Word of God the following: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7.
I’ve heard the question so many times, “How can I count it joy when I don’t have money to pay my bills, when my car is being repossessed or my family member is in jail and I can’t get bail money or everyone seems to push me to the side or whatever your particular challenge may be”. How can I count this as joy? Please allow me to offer some suggestions right here.
First, understand the purpose of testing in this Christian walk. Purpose – maturity in God. We, as believers must change our perspective on challenges/testing. This process is not meant to make you fall or fail, but they are meant to build you up and make you soar like eagles.
Second – it makes one complete. When we face our challenges, they gradually remove the weaknesses and imperfections in our souls, which make up our character. Through a daily process the growth that we allow the challenges to bring will help us to conquer old hidden sins, shed old blemishes of unforgiveness and gain new virtues until we become entirely fit and ready for the Master’s use.
Third – it makes one deficient in nothing (lacking nothing). If one meets their challenges with the right attitude, day by day he will live a more victorious life.
We cannot hold on to the mindset that whatever the challenge –“it’s not fair that I go through this”. Christians must go through challenges in order to grow up in God. Your challenge does not always come your way because of some misdeed that you are reaping consequences for. When you see your challenge as a punishment, you will always ask the question “What did I do to deserve this?” or “Why is this happening to me?”. However, Child of God, if you start looking at your challenges as another opportunity to help you grow in your faith walk, grow in your level of trust in God, grow in your love walk with your neighbor, or grow in your dependence totally on God, you will begin to see a more rapid progression of growth in God.
One of my favorites passage of scripture says “For we know, that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose” Ro. 8:28. My question to anyone going through “stuff” is “Do you love the Lord?”. If the answer is “yes”, then my response is “Well, whether you can see it or not, it’s working for your good”. Now, can you rest in that assurance? I can!! How about you?
Beloved, don’t retreat from your challenges; its there to help you in your spiritual development. God has more confidence in you than you have in yourself. Remember, “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” 1Co. 10:13.
Blessings!
Pastor Cosby
