trials

A Test of Your Joy

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.  Luke 8:13

Often I heard Dallas Willard respond with the following words to someone in a difficult period in their life. He would reply with the phrase, “this will definitely test your joy.” In many ways, it was his way of acknowledging a difficult situation. A place in life where pain and suffering leads to an unknown outcome. A time where one’s faith is being tested. Where God’s intervention is necessary to fix the problem.

In the above Scripture, Jesus was explaining a parable to his disciples. One of the challenges for those who hear God’s Word is when testing comes along. Initially, one is excited to learn new truth that helps transform one’s life. But when a difficult situation arises, one is being tested. One then is confronted by the truth. A choice needs to be made. God’s Word meets your desire. Truth confronts your willpower. Does your willpower win the test? Or does your desire quiet truth?

Jesus faced a similar test prior to HIS public ministry (Lk. 4:1-12). HE was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to face Satan. Satan attacked Jesus with doubt of HIS identity. He offered Jesus the convenience of satisfying HIS kingly role immediately. Why fulfill Scripture per HIS Father’s will when you can have it now? This was Jesus’ temptation. The result is HE passed the test. 

Every one of us will face similar tests throughout our life. We will pass them and we will fail them. When passed, it will energize and assure us in our walk with Jesus. When we fail the test, God’s grace will be upon us. HE will reveal something about us that needs transformation. It will keep us humble. It will keep us leaning on HIM. It will give us a ringside seat to see how the Spirit works in us and through us.

When one is committed for the long haul, one views each test as a building block. We keep plowing ahead making adjustments toward the high call of Christ. If we are in this only for immediate gratification, we risk quitting right before the goal line.

The fruit of the Spirit includes joy. As we learn to walk empowered by the Spirit, we will be tested. Each test will reveal more about our character. Each test may temporarily rob us of our joy. Yet, as we make the effort in our life to align with the Triune God, the Spirit will give us the power to walk in Christ.

Tests are God’s way of allowing us to evaluate our true selves. Under the empowerment of HIS grace, we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us after the likeness of Jesus. Each failed test, is a course adjustment. More time to reflect on God’s character and lean on HIM.

Each passing test, is a grateful praise for the work of the Spirit in our lives. We are humbled by Christ’s work in us. For HIS joy is our constant reminder. Whether we pass or fail the test, it is better to walk with HIM then not. For when you are committed for the long haul, HE has a way of bringing out HIS joy in you through all the tests.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Life Is Hard

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.   Romans 12:12

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…through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.   Acts 14:22

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I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33

Why are we shocked when distress times arise? When we are caught in a web of suffering? When the affliction seems so overbearing? Yes, life is hard.

I recall having a heated discussion with my mother around my mid-thirties over the way she raised me. Don’t get me wrong, I had a very good upbringing. Educated in private schools. Raised with character traits which later produced future successes. Foundational values which gave me a head start in life.

But yet, I was naïve about the world around me. I thought life was a formula. Work hard and you will succeed. But as you enter the world, you realize its chaotic with unforgiving ways to swallow up new victims. It’s an ever-changing jungle. It can be brutal. Survival is job one. Trust is hard to find. Truth is a misnomer. Only results matter. Everything else is noise. You are the target of someone else’s fear or greed. There are days you feel like you are being squeezed by a large finger.

Failure is inevitable. If one doesn’t learn how to turn lemons into lemonade, one becomes dinner for a large pig. The large hogs chew up their little piggies. There is no mercy in the jungle of life. If one enters the marketplace without a defense armor, one is dismantled and thrown away. No pity for the weak.

Yes, life is hard. But Jesus gives us the equipment not only to survive in the jungle of life, but to thrive.

No, you will still face strong tribulations. You will still be persecuted. You will still have emotional roller coaster rides. But you will find faith and hope through the process. For your foundation is built on the rock of Jesus. You know HE has your behind. HE also walks along with you through the ordeal. In fact, HE has already gone before you so you know following HIM will lead you through a better path.

You know each trial allows you to invest more time with HIM. To watch HIM battle for you through the process. To learn more about HIS ways. And as you come out on the other end, you look back and notice the change in your character. You are more patient. Your trust in HIM grows. Your assurance of the relationship with HIM becomes stronger. You soon learn that the jungle of life is designed to bring you closer to HIM. To allow HIS Kingdom ways to become more implanted into your Being.

As much as you hated the pain and thrashing you went through, you are thankful. You realize it was probably the most merciful way for you to develop the willpower pattern after HIM. You soon acknowledge your ordeal only made you stronger in HIM. Though you don’t ever want to go through that trial again, you are thankful you did it with HIM.

Yes, life is hard. Deliberately hard for our sake and for the sake of others. How else can a loving God best prepare HIS children for the eternal role HE has for them in HIS Kingdom?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Persecutions

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Mark 10:29-30

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 

Yes, there are great blessings one receives for following Jesus in today’s world, but along with the blessings are persecutions.

This Scripture reminds us that whatever you gave up to follow Jesus, you will recover. The relationships you loss, and the wealth you could have had, HE promises will be regain hundredfold in your lifetime. Plus, in the new age, you will also secure eternal life.

However, with all this you will also find yourself being persecuted.

Jesus also during HIS “sermon on the mount” dialogue encouraged HIS followers to rejoice as they are blessed for being persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and great will be there reward in heaven (Matt 5:10, 12).

And again, Jesus’ also forewarned and reminded His disciples even as HE was persecuted, so will they, but people will also respond to their words as people responded to HIS words (John 15:20).

The apostle Paul reiterated this point when he wrote to his protégé Timothy that all those who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12).

Persecution though comes in various forms. In the western democracies, persecution is mild compared with other countries where being a Christ follower is legally prohibited. The penalty is either severe prison time or even death.

In America, you may find yourself losing friends, business acquaintances, and possibly even family members because of your firm belief to follow Jesus. You may suffer cancel culture and be removed from social media. You may have lies, verbal insults, and character assassination thrown your way. If so, don’t be shocked. Remind yourself that Jesus instructed us to rejoice and set you sights to your eternal reward.

Most of us in America have not yet lost our lives because of our beliefs. We may have lost jobs, lost opportunities, and even lost meaningful relationships. Yet, those are replaceable. As these trials come upon us, we learn to lean on HIM and watch as HE maneuvers circumstances to build our trust in HIM as HE restores in time what was taken from us.

We forgo being bitter, angry, or frustrated. Instead, we forgive others as HE has forgiven us, and move on.

We pray for those who persecute us. We learn to love them as Christ loves us.

We step back and in sacrificial service to them expose them to the King’s way of living. This becomes our opportunity to preach the gospel without words.

Humanly speaking, you may think this is impossible. Which is probably true. But with HIM, all things are possible.

Yes, persecution hurts. But the opportunity to showcase God’s love in an ugly environment is too good to pass up. Lean on HIM when the time comes and let HIM lead you via the Holy Spirit to respond HIS way. He is always with you through the good times and bad. Let HIM lead and you follow. He will be glorified, and you will be pleased to serve your King in a meaningful way.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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