Last weekend at club retreat, the theme was “Tried and True.” We talked about how through the trials and being tried in this life, we have to stay true to our God and our purpose.

James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its full effect that you maybe perfect and complete lacking in nothing.”

When we meet trials in this life, whether they’re physical, emotional, or spiritual—we must count it all JOY because we know that God is molding us into a beautiful masterpiece, a masterpiece that only He can form.

During these times of trials, we can look to Him because He is always faithful to us. We can see His faithfulness especially through the people that He puts in our lives. Just like Hosea was faithful to Gomer when she left him for other men to temporarily fulfill the desires of her heart, God is faithful to us when we look to things of the world to temporarily fulfill the desires of our hearts.

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, Philippians 4:13 translates, “I am strong enough for anything because of the One who strengthens me.” In context, Paul is discussing being content, and even when he has absolutely nothing, he can do anything because of JESUS who gives him strength. Sometimes in life we are going to feel like no one is there and that we have absolutely nothing, but we can find comfort in knowing that we CAN DO ANYTHING because of our Savior who gives us strength.

Even when you’re tried, stay true to our God.

“This God—his way is perfect, the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him."