when things go wrong...

When things go wrong...
You... Lord... reveal my lack of faith...

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea,

so that the boat was being swamped by the waves;

but he was asleep. And they went and woke him saying,

"Save us, Lord; we are perishing." And he said to them,

"Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?"

Matthew 8:24-26 ESV

Trials... both small and large... reveal the need for refining... purification... of faith...

The purification comes through repentance...
the recognition of lack of faith... trust...unbelief... as sin...
the confession... of each specific moment... each revelation where your faith failed...
the choosing to turn away from unbelief... and live by faith...

After yesterday... a hard day of minor trials...
it all comes together... while praising Him for His faithfulness...

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15

The trials He allows...
the hindrances of Satan...
the brokenness of the world...
all expose... unbelief in a Believer's heart...

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of  various kinds,

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

And let steadfastness have its full effect,that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 ESV

The trials He allows... evidence of His love... and faithfulness...
to complete what He's begun in our hearts... perfect us...
to expose what needs to go... that we might draw nearer to Him...

What's been exposed in your heart lately...? what unbelief...?
Do you question His sovereignty and purpose...?
Do you doubt His love for you...?
Do you wonder if He can really heal...?

We are called to be faith-full...
He alone... the only one... true to His Word...
His Word of love... healing... and faithfulness...

Father God... thank You for trials that reveal unbelief...

Thank You... for the understanding of their purpose...

a refining fire... a means of revelation... and purification...

bless me with the faith and boldness to receive each difficulty

for what it truly is... a testing... of my faith... my trust... in You...

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.

You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water,

but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Psalm  66:11