Day 6: Tests

James 1:2-4 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Our initial response to tests and troubles can sometimes be complaining, frustration or even questioning God. But James tells us we should consider these opportunities for great joy. Spiritual maturity comes when we go beyond merely accepting our tests to joyously embracing them.

Tests also develop endurance in our lives and James says we should let endurance grow. Instead of asking God to prematurely lift the test, ask Him for perseverance and increasing spiritual strength in the midst of it.

Certain tests are so severe that we will only endure by pressing into God through prayer and fasting. As we do this, He will enable us to meet the challenge and persevere. No matter how intense the test may be, nothing can separate us from our Father, and His love and power will carry us through.

Prayer: Father, help us see circumstances in our lives as you see them and joyously embrace the difficult times. As we fast and pray, grant us the endurance that only comes from you. We pray You would cause us to grow and mature through the all the tests we face. In Jesus’ name. Amen.