There's Nothing Wrong with a Trial

Not to sound masochistic or anything, but there really is nothing wrong with being tried. Most times we duck and dodge anything that would threaten to cause us or the ones we love pain. The human response will always make a wide birth for avoiding injury. But all of that aside, someway some how we are eventually confronted with our weakness, lack or totally side-swiped by unplanned crisises.

All of the questions come up: Why? What have I done to deserve this? Where is God? Why can't I escape this? We feel closed in a room that few others can enter. No one's saving us from the circumstances or the pain. Few can. And those that could are somehow disconnected from all that's going on. Faith and resources feel faltering.

I defer to James:
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." - James 1:2-4

We do not throw our pain, suffering, needs or persecution aside. We ask for the face of God. Our journey of faith is one of revelation; the revelation of God Himself. Our faith must have a place to experienced and our pride executed. Our journey in affliction isn't one of mutilation and debasement before God so He makes things better. He wants my whole heart. He wants to place devotion for Him in the deep wells of my heart in ways that it hasn't been before. We never have a time to experience the greatness of His power unless we willingly (or unwillingly) run out of our own. And our time are these present moments.

My friends, we have not been tricked into faith and then realized it was a prison leaving us to only remember the past or fantasize about the future. We have been given moments to meet with God like we never have. This is how we receive holy hunger. Our faith is to be tested so that we can learn longing with joy like never before. This is where we set our faith.