Are you Reacting or Responding?

Trouble will come your way. If you’re a Christian, it is a certainty. At all times you are either coming out, in, or about to enter one of life’s storms. This should be a point of praise! It’s only during the trials that life brings us that we can grow stronger in our faith. But far to often we cannot give praise for the trail because we’re not able to accept it for growth.

Christians either “react” to the storm or they “respond” to it. As an example, when you are sick, you go to the doctor, and he prescribes a drug. But the medication can have two very different effects. If the body “reacts” to the medicine, it shows a negative effect. There may be a rash, dizziness, sleepiness, labored breathing, or even a complete allergic condition created by the medication. But if the body “responds” to the medicine, healing will take place. The medication does what it is suppose to do – it cures the problem.

When we receive trials, we are to prove our faith with Christian actions. We are not to react emotionally from our anger or our frustration. We are to stand on the faith that we have in God, and rest in His promises. Sure, it sounds easy – resting on the promises, leaning on God, listening for His voice. But try doing it when your marriage is failing, when your children are late getting home from a date, when your friends become your enemies, or when the doctors are saying “It doesn’t look good”.

If we are to grow spiritually, we must respond to the trials that come our way with the courage to wait for God to instruct us. James 1:2-3 says “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Our patience will grow as we wait on God. Our faith will grow as we see God work to solve our problems. If you can trust him with the small problems today, one day you will be strong enough to trust him with the big ones.

Are you reacting or responding to the trials you have in life? Search your heart and you will find the answer. Search God’s heart and you will find the cure.