Have you ever found yourself in a place where you felt forsaken, lost, or confused? Have circumstances seemed unfruitful, barren, and contrary to the promises of God you hold dear?
I’m here to tell you it’s common to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why is this happening? When will this end?” If these sentiments resonate with you, know that you’re not alone. Welcome to the earthly journey we all share.
Helen Keller, a woman who overcame tremendous challenges, blind and deaf at 19 months yet became an author and lecturer impacting many, wisely noted, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
Indeed, life is full of challenges, and often, our character is tested in the crucible of adversity.
Derek Prince, a renowned Christian teacher, emphasises, “God is more concerned with our character than our achievements. Achievements have importance only in the realm of time. Character is eternal. It determines what we will be through eternity.”
Let’s take a closer look at the story of Job, a man whose character had been tested in ways most of us can hardly fathom. Job was described as wealthy and blameless before God, possessing a pure heart. However, Satan challenged God, insisting that Job’s faithfulness was merely a result of God’s blessings.
In a series of devastating events, Job lost his health, wealth, and even his family. Surrounded by negative voices and facing unimaginable suffering, Job expressed a deep sense of confusion and uncertainty in what appeared to be an absence of God’s hand:
“Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” – Job 23:8-10 NKJV
Job, in his distress, grappled with grief and struggled to comprehend God’s methods of provision and protection. His words reflect a moment of profound spiritual wrestling:
- “He is not there.”
- “I cannot perceive Him.”
- “I cannot behold Him.”
- “I cannot see Him.”
Life, according to biblical metaphors, is a test. Trials serve to test our patience, faith, faithfulness, and love. The book of James highlights Job’s perseverance:
“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” -James 5:11
Job’s story teaches us that trials test our:
1. Patience: Will we wait on the Lord’s timing to fulfil His plans and purposes or become anxious, stressed out and even do things our way due to impatience waiting on God’s timing?
2. Faith & Faithfulness: Can we trust God amid pain, suffering, and seemingly impossible situations? Do we remain in Faith in the finished work of Jesus and the promises of God? Will we still remain faithful in doing what God has asked us to do despite not seeing His promises or plans unfolding the way we thought they should?
3. Love: Is God still our first love, even amid trials?
Job had been shaken to his core yet overcame, and God restored double for his trouble. I had a thought, “In challenging times, we can either be overcome with fear, anxiety, depression, and being a victim to circumstances or choose to grow stronger by relying on God’s promises and developing a resilient faith”.
According to Romans, trials produce patient endurance, mature character, and a joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:2-5 AMPC
The development of our character, as well as the outcome, depends on our perspective (eternal or the present), our relationship with God (under the law or grace), and our revelation of God (a loving Father or a heartless Master).
“Your gift makes room and takes you places, but it’s your character that will keep you there.” – Shaun Smit
The refining process Job underwent is parallel to the process of refining gold. Just as gold is purified in a furnace, our character is refined through trials, separating impurities and leaving us with genuine, enduring faith.
Scripture reminds us that our faith, tested by fire, is more precious than gold.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,” – 1 Peter 1:6-8
The testing and trying of our faith should lead to praise, honour, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed. The question we must ask ourselves is, “Is my faith genuine? Is it anchored in the finished work of Jesus, or is it merely in my abilities?”
Your destiny is intricately linked to how you handle resistance opposition and emerge on the other side of your tests and trials. The story of Jesus, who overcame the temptations in the wilderness by relying on His character and the Word, serves as a powerful example.
Remember, your character is tested and proven in the furnace of trials, and it’s through this refining process that you come forth as gold and produce a genuine faith.
May you be a partaker of Christ, holding fast to the beginning of your confidence in the promises and faithfulness of God, steadfast to the end!
This blog was inspired by Ps Shaun‘s message at Faith Legacy Believers Church on the 10th of December, 2023. You can view the message below.