In the past, my Christian life has gone in cycles of highs and lows. Sometimes the lows will last a few weeks like when I start to feel overwhelmed with work and don't seem to make the time to spend time in the Word. One time the low point lasted several years when I thought that I knew what was best for my life.
If this happens to me, surely it has to happen to other believers as well...Right? And if so, what can we do to prevent it in the future?
I finally found the answer in James 1:2-8. 2 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 - because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 - Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6 - But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 - That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 - he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
As Christians, we all are going to go through times when our faith is tested. However, God will never give us something that we aren't able to overcome if we stand strong in our faith. ( I Corinthians 10:13 ). When our faith is tested and it withstands the test, we grow stronger in our faith ( v3-4).
However, when our doubts overwhelm our faith the problems begin. The times when we ask God for strength but do not believe that He can carry us through, that is when we become "blown and tossed in the wind." Our doubting of the power of God prevents our faith from growing. To make matters worse, our doubts also prevent us from receiving the blessings that He wants to give us.
My memory verse for the week will be I Peter 5:6-7
6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 - casting all you anxiety on Him, because he cares for you.


