Tested Faith

The title says it all. Our faith gets tested. That's how we grow. Last week was no exception for me, I took a beating. It was Wednesday of last week, I just finished up 3 days of fundraising. I took some time to relax a little. By that afternoon it was over, the van that I had been borrowing to go to these fundraisers was no longer with us. It was taken to the dealership along with another car from my family and traded in for 1 vehicle. This sent my world spinning. I no longer has the ability to go to the fundraisers I had planned for the rest of the summer. How in the world was I going to raise the $6,100 needed by September 1? I felt like I was falling and fast.

Thankfully I was able to text a couple friends. I was able text out my feelings and what I was going through with these wonderful people. It is nice to know that someone is there standing alongside of me. As I talked with them I began to calm down. They reminded me that God has everything in His hands and will take care of it all. 

I know this is true. I have experienced God taking care of my needs. When I was on the last mission trip I needed $4,500 to stay on the field, the day of the deadline God provided $7,500. I have seen God provide for me to go to the dentist when I was last in the the Philippines, or go to a doctor when injured my ankle in Ukraine. And not only that. When I was tired and needed strength God was with me. When I was sad God brought me joy and comfort. When God says that He will never leave us of forsake us, God means it. 

I can look back and see what God has done for me in the past and know He will stay true to His promises in the future. God will provide for me and will be there for me every second of every day. I know God has called me to be a missionary in the Philippines and God will provide the support needed for me to be there. 

In times of testing I am reminded of these verses:

"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. (James 1:2-4 NKJV)"

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5 NKJV)"

We do not need to worry when things happen in life. For me I should rejoice when it happens, knowing that God is working on me to bring me more into the man He has called me to be. I thank God for what He has done in my life and will do in the future. I put my full faith and trust in God knowing He will take care of me.