Don't stop paddling

I am not always excited to endure a trial of any sort - how about you? Do you eagerly await the next trial or temptation? I doubt you do! You are probably thinking about barely surviving with your sanity from the last doozy of a trial you went through, aren't you? Standing the test isn't for the weak hearted - it is for the bold hearted - those with the faith of a mustard seed, willing to put that faith to the test, even when the outcome seems a little foredrawn in your mind. The foredrawn conclusion? It is going to be tougher than you can endure!

Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

The foredrawn conclusion doesn't always take God into account, does it? Sometimes we come to that conclusion all on our own - out of fear, past failures, and a lack of total trust in the one we serve. We give a whole lot of lip service to serving Christ, putting him first in our lives, and when the trial comes, we want to turn tail and just run! Enduring trials isn't for the weak hearted, but like it or not, it is the way our faith grows. If we could get an instant infusion of faith apart from the 'back story' of trials, wouldn't it be nice? Like it or not, the 'back story' of our faith is what actually tried that faith and made it hard as nails!

If we want to stand strong in the midst of the trial, we need to stand strong when all things are going well. We tend to get a little lax in our commitment to the things we promised ourselves (and God) in the midst of the trial, don't we? We rededicate ourselves to prayer - because we need God's insight in order to sort out the muddle we are in. We refocus on time in the Word - because it builds us up and helps us see he is with us even when we don't 'feel' his presence. Then things start to 'die down' a bit, the pressure easing up, and what do we do then? We drift a bit because we have been paddling hard and we are tired!

Trials may tire us, but if we stop paddling just because the waters settle a bit, we aren't going to end up where we should. Whenever we allow a little bit of drift, we set ourselves up for arrival at a destination God didn't intend for us. So, pay attention, stand strong, paddle on! The trial is about over, but that doesn't mean we surrender the ground we have gained. Just sayin!