Growing our Faith

by Patricia Broyles

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7

"Allow your faith to grow in a faithful God."

Perhaps the Lord is taking you through a trial so you will see your faith refined. So many times we ask the Lord to give us strength and to grow our faith, but we should remember that our faith is actually revealed during the hard times.

Like a firefly’s light that is only noticed when surrounded by darkness, our faith is seen when going through trials. God uses this to cause us to use our gifts to shine even brighter for His glory.

Warren Wiersbe said “the faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted”, and we all know that without faith it is impossible to please God - “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

When asking for a stronger and greater faith, we should be ready to face trials which the Lord uses to test our faith. If endured God can do anything through us and again for His own glory.

God is not trying to make us sin, but He is testing us to show us how far we can go if we are dependent upon Him. He wants to make us to be something more precious then gold, and trials are one of God’s tools to accomplish this.

Many times we want an explanation about our situations, but we shouldn’t live by answers, but we should live by the sure confidence on the promises of a faithful God.

We are so small and weak, but He is mighty.

Our faith is not proved in days of abundance or in days of sunshine, but the real test is proven during the darkness. God uses it to shape us, to discipline us and of course to grow our faith.

Trials are another reason to rest in God and watch Him work. And if we wait on Him we will see marvellous works of love.