"Testing, Testing!"

The sound engineer is doing his best to check whether the equipment works, and says "Testing, Testing!"

The OECD wants to check on the performance of school children in Maths, English & Science, so they are testing, testing! And Britain's schools don't seem to be doing as well as they might. 

These are testing times for many.

RBS customers had a very testing time last evening, when they were unable to use their bank cards at ATMs or over the internet. So I guess RBS people will be having a testing time trying to sort out the mess, and get everything working as it should.

And so I could go on.

I visited several homes yesterday where people are under considerable stress and pressure. The reasons were all different, varying from external events to the behaviour of people. The result was that life has become almost unbearable. Very difficult. A testing time.

And as Christmas approaches, most of us get more busy and stressed, because of the extra events and expectations which come with this time of year. As we know, little of it has much to do with Jesus!

How do we respond when life is full of tests and troubles?
St. James has an extraordinary outlook. 

'Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.' (James 1.2-4)

Because this is so different from the way I normally think, I have to keep going back to see what James is saying. James is reminding us that we only ever grow stronger in anything with relentless practice and application. As the proverb goes, 'Practice makes Perfect'. 

So when I am wondering whether I can handle whatever comes along, I remind myself that Jesus knows what is coming my way, and He can help me to endure, joyfully, rather than through gritted teeth. And the result will be an astonishing outcome - you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

So today, while life may be "Testing, Testing!", I shall ask Jesus to give me joy as I grow stronger in faith and trust.
Will you do the same?
Best wishes,

Richard