Have you ever tried planks as a part of an exercise routine? They hurt! My arms start to burn and my core feels weak. But the momentary pain is working dividends in the long run. In the same way, faith needs to be exercised and tested in order for Christians to grow. But how do one go about growing their faith?
EXERCISE your Faith
Exercising your faith is simply USING it. It’s acting on what we believe. Just like maintaining and building muscle requires effort and work, so walking by faith, living a life of faith, requires action.
Simple but important acts of faith are praying, studying the Bible, sharing the Gospel, and going to church. We DO these things as a result of what we believe! If you say you have faith and you don’t have works to prove it, do you even have faith at all?
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
James 2:26
Recognize that trials produce STRENGTH
Another way Christians grow in faith is from trials God allows our lives. If you are a Christian and haven’t been through a trial of your faith yet, don’t be surprised when it comes. God is concerned with your growth and your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3), and God will use difficulties in a christian’s life for their good and His glory.
If God is allowing something hard in your life, it’s likely a good thing for you because you need to grow stronger. The Bible actually says to “count it all joy” when we face these trials, because through them we develop a stronger faith and grow in patience.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4
EXPECT that trials will come.
Trials come in many shapes and sizes. And just because we know we should be joyful, doesn’t mean it will be easy. They are called trials because they test the validity of what we claim to believe. We may have questions like “Why did God let that happen?” or “Why hasn’t God answered my prayer yet?” It’s not wrong to have questions. What matters is what you do with them.
“Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.”
Elisabeth Elliot
ANCHOR yourself in God’s Word.
In a fight they say it’s the punches that you don’t see coming that are the worst. I can attest to this. When something hits you that you didn’t see coming, you may be rocked. Now is when all the exercise and preparation leading up to this moment will help you weather the storm.
“Gather the riches of God’s promises. Nobody can take away from you those texts from the Bible which you have learned by heart.”
– Corrie Ten Boom (WWII Nazi concentration camp survivor)
You may feel weak, but if you know God’s promises and you’re grounded in God’s Word, you’re ready. Battling your fears, doubts, and temptations is possible because you are anchored on Christ the Solid Rock and in the Word of God.
You are NOT ALONE
Most of all know this: God is the Good Shepherd and although He doesn’t promise we won’t ever go through hard things, He does promise He will be with us through it all.
“… for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Hebrews 13:5b
Though we have no idea what battles lay ahead for us, God knows, and He promises to equip us for what we need when the time comes.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
If you are currently facing a trial, or the ripple effect of bad news, don’t panic. Anyone who has been walking with Jesus for any length of time has experienced trials, doubts, and temptations. This is not a reason to give up or despair, but a reason to rejoice. You are precious enough to God for Him to let you go through some hard things to make you stronger. Trials are an opportunity to grow.
Cling to God’s Word in your darkest hour. He has never gone back on His promises.
START wherever you are
Just like fitness, you shouldn’t wait to be fit to start working out! Wherever you are, you can start today! Start by reading God’s Word for yourself. Test God’s promises. Grow your faith. Prove it. Make it real. Cling to God’s Word in your darkest hour. He has never gone back on His promises. It might hurt a little. It might hurt a lot. But it’s a process that is worth going through.
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”
– G. K. Chesterton
This is a fight with a lot more riding on the outcome than a number in the win or loss column. The fight of faith has eternal consequences and rewards. And with the help of the Holy Spirit it’s a fight you can win every time.
“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
Do you have a favorite Bible verse that has gotten you through a hard time? Please share it below!
