What Most Often Tests Your Faith and Resilience?

Daily troubles as well as those monstrous ones can have a powerful influence on our attitude and resilience. Are troubles designed to rob us of faith and confidence, or can they be an exercise in building determination to win a victory over every hindrance that life hurls our way?

When David was a young man, he killed Goliath, the Philistine giant. When Saul compared himself to David, he became jealous and conspired to kill David. Jealousy robbed Saul of the opportunity to mentor David, the person God selected to be the next king.

In life’s experiences we’re often forced to face troubles that test our faith and resilience. The most difficult task is coming to terms with how to manage the resulting suffering that cannot be ignored. In Psalm 50:15, God invites you to call upon him in days of trouble, for he promises to deliver you. Faith and trust help you conquer what seems impossible. 

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I am confident of this: that the one who has begun his good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Christ Jesus. 

~Philippians 1:6 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Choosing Reality: For Today and Tomorrow - Part 2

Each of us has thought, "That may work in the movies, but not in reality." We may not like the face of reality, especially when it appears hard or unkind. Reality can be scary, challenging, and nerve-racking. However it can be calming and give its beholder a sense of hope and confidence for the future.

God gives us power to make decisions, to be creative, and to change. Power is a strange phenomenon. Once acquired, it's very difficult to give up. Power can become an addiction. John Dalberg-Acton observed, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." The healthiest use of power comes as we seek to share it with others.

The issue is not to seek more control and power in order to compensate for our limitations, but to trust that God is at work in our lives for our good. Psalm 62:8 confirms that we can go to God any time and pour out our hearts to him, for he is our refuge and hope for change. This is God's reality and the way for peace and confidence in a world that is ever-changing.