Castle Lager has a slogan: “It stood the test of time”. And yes, the beer has been around for more than 125 years and available in 40 countries. It has certainly been tested by thousands of beer drinkers and has passed the test with flying colours.

I can still remember how we had the strength of our polymer products tested at the university every week. If the products’ pressure strength was not strong enough, we changed the recipe every time. We wanted the strongest, best product in the market.

Tests are necessary to ensure that what you have on paper or even the words that you say, are based on the truth. Abraham had said that he believed, but God made sure that his words flowed into actions. He had to go and sacrifice Isaac.

Fortunately, Abraham passed the test with flying colours and God provided a sacrifice.

In several of his Psalms David wrote that God should examine his whole being, put him to the test, so that he will keep to the right way. David knew that suffering brought him closer to God again.

And then Job. Oh! He was pulled apart! If I had to put my challenges next to those of Job, mine are minor. But through all the suffering Job kept on going and kept holding on. Kept holding onto God, because he knew he would come out stronger on the other side.

So different from the way that I and many others experience life’s challenges. When the suffering starts, I usually start by throwing my toys out of the cot and I immediately ask why me? Followed by several more sentences with question marks at the end.

It’s probably human nature, but I suspect it’s not very mature. Or probably not a very mature faith. We should rather face the challenges in life like these men from the Old Testament.

We should know the following: ³You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. At times like these, we should do as the Englishman says, and put our money where our mouth is.

We say we believe in God. We tell everybody that we trust God. So, when hardship knocks us out cold, we must go and live that trust practically.

Then we can go honestly to God and put our hurt at His feet one by one. We can ask Him to help us. We can remind Him of His promises. And we have to end by telling Him that we trust Him 100%. We can tell Him that we’re putting the ball in His hands and that He can kick it wherever He wants to.

We should end off with, “Your will be done, because I trust You and I know this will be the best for me.” Then my faith will also stand the test of time and grow stronger.

Scripture
James 1:1-8

Reflection
What do you usually do when life is hard?
Do you trust God?
Do you allow God to take care of it?

Prayer
Father, it’s not always easy for me to keep composed when times are hard. I struggle to trust you whole-heartedly. Help me to pray boldly: Your will be done. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.