I was listening to some podcasts/sermons recently and I heard the words, “Your faith is for your trials.”

I know I’ve referenced before that “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

All of this was settling in to tell me, that I am growing my faith for my trials. I know as a believer, not only will I have trials, but I might have more trials than most actually. Satan is actively trying to bring you down. He’s going after you. And, it will either shake your faith, or solidify your faith.

I recently painted a picture that I have hung on my war board, that states, “I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me into the Rock of Ages.” Because I feel that I have. I feel like that’s where I’ve finally reached in my personal relationship with Jesus & Our Father & The Holy Spirit.

That I’m going to have trials. But that God is always going to be there for me. That He’s always going to have a good word for me. That His love never fails. That He is going to give me strength, endurance, and understanding for each day. That He will sustain me.

I’m currently going through quite the set of circumstances. I have a broken down vehicle that’s been in the shop for over 30 days, with no real update to when it will be available again. I have experienced some crazy error that has left me without over half my tax return. All my close friends are going through some real, serious life situations. I’m also currently living through the storm we were watching on the horizon and all the changes that has brought forth (which is a lot). So, needless to say, I have trial or two. I also recently survived the crazy storm that wiped a swath through the Midwest. And, my work is currently going through a whirlwind of changes, as well.

So, you know, just a few things happening. Just a couple things that could get me a little sideways. And, I feel like the recent, actual storm that wiped through the Midwest really helped bring home some of this tidbit for me. During the actual storm, I was separated from my family. I watched a 2-story substantial barn, disappear before my eyes. And, I ended up taking shelter with a nice family that allowed me into their home, by the grace of God. And, during this storm, it never occurred to me quite how dangerous the situation was. I was not in fear for my life, or my family’s lives. There was a calmness within me. There was a peace about me.

Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6 

And, I feel like this real, actual physical storm is representative of my current spiritual trials. There is a calmness about it. There is a peace to it.

When I found out that our truck was utterly broken, miles away from town. I was like, “Oh ok. Well, I guess we’ll just have to get that towed and find out what’s wrong.” And moved on. When I saw that my tax return was 1/2 of what I expected, I was like, “Whoa, that’s weird. I’ll have to find out what’s happening there.”

Every time I’m talking with my close friends about their situations, all I’m feeling is love and empathy. Words that are not my own, are comforting them. I pray with them, I pray over them, and I’m trusting that God is doing the rest and guiding them through these situations, and that He will help me to be the wisdom and comfort they need from me.

With all the trails that are occurring, every time I feel my feet starting to falter, I just double-down in the scripture and prayer. I pray for a Word. I read the Bible. I listen to podcasts & sermons. I continue to pour into others as much as I’m able, and I’m focusing on my own self-care. As I understand that the more that is getting poured out, needs to be poured in. That in order to get through these trials, I just need to keep returning to the Source. Just need to keep plugging into the Almighty that supplies all my needs. That He knows what I need each day, and as I’m more important than the sparrows, so He will take care of all my needs. That He will give me the wisdom and understanding I need for each day. That He will guide me and shelter me through these storms, and the next ones, and the ones after that.

That what I need to do, is stay with the Source. To continue to plug in, and show up. That the more drained I feel, the more I need to drink from the everlasting fount of eternal life. That He will guide and supply everything I need. That He will make me new and renewed each morning. That I am so grateful that I do not need to figure out what I’m doing next, I just need to keep taking steps in faith. That I just need to keep trusting Him, and He will guide me. He will lay opportunities before me, that He will speak to me – through His Word. That all I have to do is trust Him, and He is forever faithful. He has given me everything I need to grow my faith, and now that I’m truly experiencing some real trials – that my faith is here to guide me through them. That I have hidden His words in my heart, that I might call on them in my hours of need. That He restores my soul and grows my faith. That He is always there, and I just need to release my faith into these moments. To speak to my problems. To admit that no matter what, I always need a Savior, and Thank God – I have a Savior who has a personal relationship with me. That He is walking me through these moments, and I am not facing them alone.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you for being all that we need. Thank you for being the source of everything we need, in every circumstance. Thank you for giving us The Word, that we may read it and be renewed and refreshed. Thank you that you are constant. That you are faithful. That You never leave us or forsake us. That we need only to trust in you. Thank you Father God that you help us grow our faith, so that when we need you, we know what to do – to trust in You. That you are growing us that we become more like you every day. That we may shine your light to others. That they want what we have, and we can turn them to the Source, that they might also be refreshed & restored, Father God. Thank you Father, for being faithful. For sending Your Son to die, that we might have a personal relationship with you. Thank You for being all that we need, this day and every day. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!