“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37).
Even though you are not of this world, you still live in this world; therefore, tests, trials and temptations are bound to come your way.
Many people think, “Well, tests and trials only come to make me strong.” Some have even written songs with that message! These people may have been taught that sickness and disease come in their lives to teach them something or to make them more pious.
But sickness, disease, tests, trials, and temptations will never make you strong. If they did, you’d be Mr. or Mrs. Universe by now! It’s what you do with the tests and trials you face that makes the difference.
Think of this principle in terms of weight lifting. A weight lifter wants to develop his muscles, but he’ll never reach that goal unless he lifts some weights. He certainly won’t turn into Charles Atlas if he just sits in an easy chair reading weight lifting books and thinking, “I’m going to be strong!”
And when he lies on the workout bench, the 100 pound weight lying across his chest won’t help his muscles gain strength unless he lifts up the weight and starts pushing it away from himself.
The same principle is true with tests and trials. You have the capacity to believe God’s Word, but you won’t be strong in faith unless you exercise your spiritual muscles. How do you do that? Every time you push your problems away in the name of Jesus, you gain strength.
People say, “I want strong faith.” But strong faith only comes by exercising the faith you have against something that’s contrary to the Word of God.
We normally don’t look forward to tests and trials. But every time a problem arises, we can say, “Glory to God, here’s just one more opportunity for me to develop my faith muscles and prove that the Word of God works!”
I develop my spiritual muscles by using God’s Word
every time problems come against me. When my body
says, “I’m sick,” I say, “By Jesus’ stripes, I’m healed!”
The Word works for me because I work the Word.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.