James 1:5-8, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Faith and trust are probably often the greatest challenge Christians have in their walk with God, which if you really think about that it doesn’t really make sense that we wouldn’t trust Him but we don’t always, do we?  I see people who get frustrated and angry with God because he doesn’t answer in their timing or they want someone else to change but they don’t because God didn’t “make” them change, or maybe they prayed and didn’t get the answer they wanted. Sometimes answers to prayer can also be dependent on other people being obedient so if that person chooses not to be, God may be working on someone else to do it so your answer is delayed. God is Sovereign and while we get impatient we need to remind ourselves of Who He is and His love for everyone.  He can always be trusted.  The outcome could depend on your faith and trust…

Remember Peter when Jesus was walking on the water and Peter said, “If it’s really you then tell me to walk to you.”  Of course, my logical brain looked at that and thought, silly Peter ~ anyone could say, “Yes, it’s ME ~ Come on!”, but Peter knew His voice!  He wanted to hear Jesus say it because Peter had spent time with Him and he knew His voice!  So, as we all know, Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water ~ Wow!  How amazing would that be?  But then, he took a look around and Jesus hadn’t calmed the storm, the waves were still high as the storm raged on and his faith wavered and he started to sink.  Jesus didn’t just let him sink but he did say, “Oh you of little faith…”. Peter started out great but as the storm continued he began to doubt.  No matter how big the storm and no matter how long it may be lasting, trust Him!  He isn’t going to let you sink.  As James said in the above verses, “The testing of your faith produces patience” and it is patience that matures us in our walk with Him.  When you wait, and you wait, and you wait, but you continue to cling to Him and His promises you grow in faith and trust.  Tell satan to get off your back!  He has nothing to say about your situation because, at the end of the day, only God’s Word matters!  He alone has the final say so be strong in the Lord and the Power of His might!  It’s not easy, sometimes you can feel as though you haven’t gotten through that last storm yet, and here comes a hurricane, oh, believe me, I know!  God who has called you is faithful and you can trust Him!  

Now here’s something to ask yourself; in those seasons of sunshine and no storms in sight, how can you walk in faith?  You spend time in His Word and ask Him to show you opportunities to be His hands and feet.  Be a Prayer Warrior!  Be intentional in growing closer to Him!  Get to know Him more so, like Peter, you will know His voice when storms do come your way.  Don’t wait for the storm to come!