I was reading this morning in 1 Thessalonians 1:1-6 where Paul was speaking to the church. He was commending them on their labors of love and their steadfastness and hope that is produced by their faith. The Message translations in verse 5 says “The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.”

As we are going through challenges people tell us that our “steel” is being tested. It is truly a situation where we are being tested on how strong our faith is and asked how much we truly trust God in all things. Do we have the hardened steel convictions that the Thessalonian Church was being commended for in that first chapter? We have an opportunity every day to look back and see what God has done in our lives and be grateful.

I recently had a situation in my family of a medical nature. The 5:30am call came from my wife who was at the hospital and things from a natural perspective looked a little shaky. Being the spiritual superhero, I sprung to action and began to pray and interceed!! Ok, maybe that is not entirely true and there is some sarcasm there..

I did spring to action grabbing things around that I knew I would need for the day. All the while praying and trying to quiet the chaos in my head. I arrived at the hospital parking garage, grabbed my backpack and started walking in. As I did, I head the still small voice say “I’ve never failed you yet.” Those were the words that I needed to hear from my Heavenly Father in that moment. A sense of peace and confidence came over me because I could look back and prove that statement to be true. I could then walk in and be the strength and stability in the midst of chaos.

I tell you this to encourage you to trust God and start to gain those convictions of steel! For me, it is being able to see a track record of God never letting me or my family down in tough times. Was it the way I wanted to go through the challenge at the time? Obviously not, but God never failed me or my family in the challenges of life.

Don’t dismiss God’s hand because it didn’t happen the way you wanted it to. God’s ways are not our ways. Start to trust God in and for all things! Begin to forge and harden that steel inside of you! You may need to start small and build up, that is ok. But know that God will never leave you nor forsake you. This is so that you can boldly say that that The Lord is my helper and I will not fear! (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Be strong and Courageous!

David