Test of Faith?

James 1:3
"For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

When is your faith tested? When is mine? I often wonder this. When facing hardships and trials I typically turn to God for strength and support. When faced with joy and blessings I again turn to God with thankfulness, awe, and wonder.

Since becoming a Christian I've never questioned or lost faith. Yet trials come, it isn't always a smooth or easy ride. But the Bible says our faith will be tested. So maybe I don't understand what that means.

Recently and currently I am facing things that could be considered "trials". My patience has been tested. My ability to not bite off the heads of those I'm forced to do business with has absolutely been tested. My endurance is being tested. But a new trial has been added to my burdens and I briefly wondered if my faith was being tested.

After prayer and contemplation my answer is "no".

My faith remains as strong as it has always been. But I feel "tested".

Last night as I hugged my husband and the release of the day's stress surfaced I cried and knew...my faith is strong. Then I wondered how strong my trust and love for God was? Is it all it should be? Is it all it can be?

Psalm 66:10
"You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver."

Through the testing one is purified. Purification is a process that requires intense heat and must be watched very closely by the Purifier. It is during the trial and the testing that God holds us closest to His heart. He watches and knows that as we are refined and purified we grow closer to Him. He knows the process hurts and pain is involved. He desires only the best for us and wants the best in us.

Father God,
Hold me close as I endure this time of testing and trials. Be my strength when I am weak. Be the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. AMEN