Faith that in untested cannot be said to be real. Faith is increased, strengthened and enriched when it goes through the crucible.
A life lived on the mountaintop, full of riches and pleasure leads more often to pride, dependency and trust in self and loss of God. But, when the storm comes upon the soul, the soul grows urgently to see God and desire His rescue, “There are no atheists in foxholes” because when the battle is raging and the life feels at risk, he turns to God in desperation if not faith.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3
I’ve gone through the purifying fire of the storm and dark night. I know that who I am after each of those challenges and struggles is far greater than the man i was prior. I had faith – I think – I thought I trusted God’s Will and I prayed – some. So, God seeing such opportunity for purification place my soul in the crucible.
It was only in seeing the darkness of the night around me – God’s hand withdrawn and only feeling the heat of the moment, that I came to find trust. The purifying fire of the Spirit in the moments shined a light on what I was lacking in my soul and life. Then, burning away all that separated me from reach God, He cleansed me and set my upon wings.
See the full story in “I Knew His Book” of my dark night and explosion of faith and trust.
The soul who trusts in God, even with the darkness and storm, when neither are being removed shines brilliantly in Heaven. When the soul strives and trusts when the answer is silence, or even no, he grows in sanctify a thousand-fold and leads everyone about him towards Heaven.
To praise God IN the storm is to have a a faith that is not ordinary, but is great and extraordinary.