Passing the Test by Rick Warren

"Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin!" Hebrews 12:3-4

When you feel like giving up and you start to feel sorry for yourself, and you get discouraged and have a pity party, stop and think about what Jesus endured for you. (After he died, He rose again clothe in white and purity, heavenly, When you trust in the trust in the Lord, there is no reason to feel discourage or to give up, in His time, He will bless you.)

Think about the attacks and the criticism he went through. Think about the abuse and cruelty he experienced not for his benefit, but for yours. (A Pastor once told me, there is nothing humiliating done the crucifixion of Christ. He was mocked, stoned, carried the cross, hurt and put down.)

You may be facing some very real, discouraging challenges in your life. But what you are really going through is a test of your faith.

It's easy to trust God when everything is going your way. It's tough to trust him when you've been out of work for a year or longer. It's tough to trust him when you don't know where you will get the money to make ends meet. It's tough to trust God when somebody you depended on has walked out of your life. But these are tests.

Will you endure? Will you persist? Will you make it to the end? Will you be disciplined? Will you finish well?

What are you being tested in right now? Are you going to give up, or are you going to persevere? What have you started that you need to finish? (Remember: God is always with you, He will not leave nor forsake us, my husband and I have always believed that God will always provide, we are going through a very tough situation, literally we have no money to buy for food, but God gives us blessings each day for our daily bread. He gives us exactly what we need, nothing more nothing less. He is amazing.)

A year before Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians, the church there had made a commitment to give an offering to help the Jerusalem church. It was tough times for churches in those days, but they had pledged an offering that they hadn't given yet. Paul wrote and reminded them, "Finish what you started a year ago … carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give whatever you can, according to what you have" (2 Corinthians 8:10-11 NLT).

What commitments have you made that you need to complete? Whatever it is, you need to finish. Trust God to help you through so you can pass the test.