Behind Door #1 is...

Do you remember watching the game shows where they would have different prizes behind different doors? I knew that in the very unlikely chance that I'd ever be on one of those shows that I'd always pick the wrong door. For me, the most exciting part of the show wasn't exactly when they picked the door, but it was when  the truth behind all the doors was eventually revealed. At this point, the contestant would realize they either made a good decision, like picking a new car, or a bad decision, like choosing a one-day supply of used bubble gum.

Much like in the game show that has different doors with different prizes behind each door, each of us are in a sense a different door at a different point in our walk with God.When it comes to our faith in Christ, we find ourselves in a position where the genuineness of our faith (the prize behind the door) is revealed through our circumstances (the opening of the door). In other words, when adversity hits, our "faith door" gets opened, and the true nature of our faith is revealed.

We had a discussion in our small group a few weeks ago that started out with this question, "Is your faith revealed or developed during adversity?" After some great dialogue, I think we all basically arrived at the point where we realized that adversity can actually reveal and develop our faith. When adversity hits, you'll have an initial reaction. This is your faith REVEALED. Do you curse God? Get mad at Him for what's going on? Start frantically trying to fix the situation on your own? Do you step back and breathe knowing that He's got everything under control? Adversity reveals the genuineness of our faith in God. 

Then, we're presented with a crossroads. Regardless of what' revealed, we can choose to draw closer to God and allow His strength to develop our faith or we can push Him further away and maybe even walk away from any initial faith we had. This is how adversity could DEVELOP your faith.

In James 2:17-20, we're reminded that faith isn't about what you say, but it's about what you do. The faith we genuinely have is what's revealed behind the door when adversity throws it open in the game show called "Life." Wherever you're at right now, in the valley or on the mountain top, don't forget it's an opportunity for God to reveal and/or develop your faith.