What would a 'persevering faith' look like?

This was originally a brief treatment on one of the most basic questions asked from the beginning of time, "How do you cope with trials and difficulties?", which eventually metamorphosized into something more fitting of the title above.

The issue of 'faith through tough times' has been jogging through me mind these past few days, (certainly a more than partial result of my own present on-going 'marathon').  I was asking myself, "What should we 'SEE' in a Christian who exercises enduring faith in God even whilst going through a 'hell on earth'?"

Allow me to share the following reflections about how a Christian behaviour should (or should not) be on the journey 'through the fire', which could be anything from divine disicpline (Heb 12:7-11) to everyday headaces (2Cor 4:8-9) to spiritual warfare (Eph 6:12) .  Although these can't be taken as 'law' (much less dogma!), I think they may help as benchmarks of behaviour through our 'dark nights of the soul':
 

1.  Whether in good times or in bad, but especially in bad...there should be NO DIMINISHING of love for God, family and neighbour (in other words, everyone else!).  These three priorities NEVER lose even an iota of their force and status simply as a result of persecution, tragedy or failure.  A steady unwavering focus on relationships (and not results) should remain.

2.  Whether in good times or in bad, but especially in bad...there should be NO INCREASE of sin and questionable activities.  A sin does not become more justifiable simply because one FEELS worse than before!  (Read: There should be no link between emotion and morality - a 'depressed' sinner is no more innocent than a 'jovial' one).  Any descent into the indulges of the flesh would reflect distrust, indifference or even rebellion on our part towards the Spirit, when in fact a childlike 'starry-eyed' gaze at our Lord and a belief in His ultimate providence and control should be adopted.

3.  Whether in good times or bad, but especially in bad...there should be NO DIMINISHING of the intensity of prayer, and the searching and seeking of the Word of God.  Very obviously prayer, Scripture-immersion and 'listening' to God shouldn't lose its attraction when trials occur, but in fact should be 'amplified' during turbulent times.  The phrase, "I've tried prayer, but..." shouldn't appear on any of our lips (though God in His compassion won't hold against us this huge misconception of the essence of prayer).

 4.  Whether in good times or bad, but especially in bad...there should be NO DENIAL of the issues or problems at hand, but rather a willingness to LEARN and GROW from it (and we know whether or not we have this willingness to do so!).  At the end, there should be a CONTENTED ACCEPTANCE of the 'outcome' God grants us plus a definite ADVANCEMENT in faith towards Him.
 

I believe that the above captures much of how our faith should appear in trying times.  Yeah it looks 'unreal' and idealistic somewhat and God only knows we'll fail, but with sweet grace our 'learning curve' should gradually show us holding out against temptation stronger and longer through the earthquakes.

Drink deep from the below; bad times CAN lead to better character:

Jas 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy(!), my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because...the testing of your faith develops perseverance (which must) finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Rom 5:3-5, "...we also rejoice in our suffering, beacuse we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit..."

And we DO have a wonderful source of comfort:

2Cor 1:3-5, "(God) comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

Some might feel this is a little 'idealistic' but hey if you shoot for the stars you might hit an eagle, and besides I distinctly remember reading somewhere in the Family Book that our Father said we should be perfect, not unlike Him (Matthew 5, methinks - *smile*).

I'm sure much depends on how 'ingrained' the Word of God is in us.  Moment by moment, day by day, how are building our deepest character, our thought structures, our allegiances, etc.?  Very often problems turn into disasters because of our inability to 'think straight' and be faithful and patient enough to simply wait on our Lord to see us through.  We then make decisions based on those fears and insecurities which end up compounding the problem!

But, thankfully, the more we know His Word, the faster and more 'accurate' the 'solutions' (if any!) which come to us.  Also, prayer would have already become a habit such that almost immediate petitioning will mark each beginning of a new trial or difficulty.

The 'process' of dealing with trials could, I suppose, be seen as an emotional intensification of the way we live our lives unto God.  The fact that we are facing worry or concern should simply bring us to cry out to Him even more.  (Of course this naturally assumes that we have been CONSTANTLY drawing strength from the Vine)  ;>)

Remember always, "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Heb 4:15-16)
 

With Serious Joy,
AL


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