How Do You Endure Testing?

James 1:12 NLT – God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Just the other day, while waiting in the school pick-up line, I observed the trees around me. The day was filled with a blustery wind; the kind of wind that makes you feel like you truly could be the nannies in “Mary Poppins” and be blown away.

Listening to the wind whipping through the trees and seeing them bend and sway, my thoughts drifted to this verse.

I watched the smaller trees bend and twist with the force of the wind. In contrast, the larger trees moved much less in the force of the wind. Their roots were deeper and their branches larger, which enabled them to withstand the strong gusts of wind.

These trees provided a good illustration for this verse found in James. If we can patiently endure the trials and testing and temptation, then God is faithful and we will receive the crown of life He has promised.

The mature trees have been able to stand the test of time against the battering winds, the torrential rains, the heavy snow, the brutal winters, and the scorching summers.

We need to constantly be growing and maturing in His word in order to endure testing and temptation. First Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

When we are tempted, when we are tested and when trials come our way, we must remember that our God is faithful. We will only be tempted as much as we can stand and He will always provide a way out of it. We just have to lean into Him. We just need to rely on the promises found in His word. We need to be firmly rooted in Him so that we can be found faithful in our testing and temptation.

Lord, let us always have our roots in You and let us always look toward the Heavens to endure the testing that comes our way, Amen.