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grow - grace pattison

6th June 2011 by MORE

I have been growing in my faith at a steady rate over the last few years. However, recently God has really been challenging me to work on my relationship with him rather than just having knowledge. So this year my goal has been to further my passion for God through prayer and responding to his Word.

I can only praise God for the massive development of my prayer life. My response to almost everything, good or bad, has been to pray. As a result I have been comforted during hard times (such as half-yearly exams) and filled with joy in response to how God is so clearly working in my life. However, the most significant change in my attitude towards my relationship with God happened this morning.

As a side note, my Bible study had been looking at the book of Job and what God shows us about suffering and trials. Job had the perfect life and he was stripped of everything: his family, possessions and worldly comforts. And his first response? He PRAISES God!

In verses 21 and 22 of chapter one he says, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing."

I was challenged. Is this how I would respond? This led me to another thought; my life is so full of privileges. Just like Job I have a loving family, great friends, amazing opportunities, a fantastic education and an incredible quality of life. I haven't had any trials. Job shows how persevering through trials is the true test of your faith. So, how do I know that my faith is genuine?

That's why at 8.45 this morning on the first of June, sitting in Hyde Park enjoying God's creation, God gave me the courage to pray for trials. Although I am terrified to lose anything, I realise that I must persevere to better and learn more about my relationship with God.