When Your Faith is Tested

My ski instructor put me to the test.

As we stood at the top of the steep double black diamond ski run, he said “Rachel, you go first, you choose which way to go.”

He wasn’t testing my ability, he wouldn’t take me somewhere I couldn’t ski. He was encouraging me to be more confident. I could either traverse across the slope, which I don’t like doing, to where the bowl was wider and slightly less steep, or I could ski straight down a narrower, more bumpy route. 

I hesitated. I couldn’t make up my mind. So, he made up my mind for me, and told me to traverse and take the slightly less steep route.

Skiing down ridiculously steep slopes is a choice I make, but I love the challenge, but what can we learn when faced with something really hard in our lives we’d rather not encounter?

When wrestling with difficult situations and choices, they feel like a test, too—they can test our faith and trust in God.

Then God said “take your son…” (Genesis 22:2)

The Bible tells us that God tested Abraham (Genesis 22:1). What an incredibly hard test Abraham faced in Genesis 22. It can be hard to understand why God tested him in that way. God wanted to prove that Abraham trusted him.

Abraham showed complete faith and trust in God. 

I may have hesitated to make up my mind on what was really not that hard, but Abraham didn’t hesitate. He didn’t question God. He didn’t ask for time to “think about it.”

So what can we learn from Abraham when we are facing trials, those hard problems that come our way?

We hold onto and trust in God’s promises.

Abraham had no doubt that God would provide. 

“We will worship and then we will come back to you,” (Genesis 22:5 emphasis mine) he told his servants. He didn’t say “I” will come back to you. Abraham was sure that he and his son Isaac would return from the mountain together and alive.

“God himself will provide the lamb,” (Genesis 22:8) he told Isaac when his son questioned that there was no animal to sacrifice. 

And God did provide. But God’s testing of Abraham went until the last possible moment. 

Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” (Genesis 22:10-11).

Sometimes it can feel like God’s provision comes at the last possible moment, too. The answers to our prayers seem to only come when we step out in faith first. And, we can wonder if God will come through for us.

Perhaps, like Abraham, we can be ready and willing to respond, to look for God’s goodness.

“Here I am,” Abraham replied. He was ready and willing to follow God’s instruction, to believe in his promises, and to trust God fully with what was ahead, just like we learned about in When God Calls Your Name.

Sometimes, though, “Here I am” is all we can say in response to the hard things we’re going through. We can be mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausted. Then, “Here I am” becomes that total dependence on God.

Abraham’s total dependence on God allowed him to see God’s provision.

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram (Genesis 22:13).

A good friend of mine once said “Keep God to his promises” And I have often used that wisdom in my own life.

When we can’t see God’s provision, or feel his presence in that moment, and although our faith might be shaken, tell God that you are still believing in him, holding onto him, and placing your confidence in his promises.

What promise of God do you need to hold onto right now? Leave a comment below with your favorite Bible verse that gives your strength and hope when you need it.

Here are a few to choose from:

The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. Psalm 145:9 NLT

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 NLT

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Psalm 23:4 NLT

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:10

Pray