As I write this post, it’s 4℉ outside with a wind chill of -10℉—normal temps for winter in Wisconsin. Inside my house, however, it’s a comfortable 70℉ thanks to the two wood-burning units literally firing away right now.
Fire is a lifesaver in cold climates, but there’s an art to creating and maintaining it. Fire requires three components to stay alive: heat, fuel, and oxygen. When you build a fire, the kindling pieces need to be close enough to each other to share heat, but not so close they stifle the flow of oxygen. And when your fire dwindles, stirring the coals can bring it back to life.
In teaching my sons how to manage a fire, I always say, “Coals are like Christians. If they separate, they lose their heat, and every once in a while they need a good stir to keep the flame alive.”
Good advice not only for fire-builders but also for those who wish to build rock-solid faith.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
Fan the Flames of Faith
Did you know the parts of the world with the most intense religious persecution are where Christianity is most alive? Something about adversity awakens faith. When times are good and everything is hunky-dory, we become apathetic and lazy in matters of faith. But when we hit a wall or find ourselves groping through a dark, dangerous landscape—that’s when we draw closest to God.
Think of the rough times as God stirring the coals. It’s not pleasant, but it’s necessary to keep the flames of faith alive
What’s a Christian to do during the inevitable trials? It’s time to strengthen your faith.
7 Principles to Build Rock-Solid Faith During Difficult Times
1) Submit to God’s wisdom.
When Job’s world turned upside down (Job 1 & 2), he turned and demanded an answer from God:
“If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who see everything we do? Why have you made me your target?”
Job 7:20
Essentially, he posed the question we all have: Why do bad things happen to believers?
God answered, but not in the way you expect:
“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? … Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? … Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place? … Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? … Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail …”
Verses from Job 38 & 39
The truth, to which Job humbly ceded in the end, is we have no business demanding God tell us why he does what he does because we would never understand anyway. His wisdom is too great for us to comprehend.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Trouble comes and you may never know why. You don’t have to. All you need is to remember that God is good and he’s right there with you.
(For deeper insight into the Book of Job, check out this awesome 11-minute video from the Bible Project.)
2) Turn to the Bible.
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn.”
Isaiah 51:1
Coals are like Christians. If they spread out from each other, they fizzle out, and every once in a while they need a good stir to keep the flame alive.
There’s no greater way to strengthen your faith than to listen to God’s own words.
God makes himself known to you through Holy Scripture, and that’s where you should head first when you’ve hit a speed bump in life. He invites you in. Seek him so that you may gain comfort and wisdom through your trials.
Need a place to start? Where to Look in Scripture During Your Darkest Nights.
3) Pray, pray, pray some more.
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.”
James 5:13
Maybe you don’t need to be told to pray when you’re in trouble, but do you pray enough? Do you come to God again and again with your hurts and requests? A parent might tire of a child asking for a cookie over and over, but God insists you keep praying to him and holding him to his promises. He wants it. Don’t give up. Pray for him to help you build rock-solid faith.
Related: How to Have a Richer Prayer Life.
4) Reach out to Christian friends.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…”
Hebrews 10:24
Remember the first bit of wisdom regarding coals and Christians? If we separate, we fizzle out. Yes, you absolutely need the support of other Christians, especially during a time of trial. Yet another reason why young Christians absolutely need to go to church.
5) Let it go.
Doesn’t that phrase evoke visions of Elsa building her ice castle atop the North Mountain? But seriously, this is the simplest yet hardest part about faith during difficult times: Letting God handle it. Trusting he’s got your back.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Psalm 55:22
How freeing to give your troubles to someone bigger and stronger who will take care of them for you.
6) Look ahead to eternal life.
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you … Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.”
Isaiah 55:12-13
If there’s one piece of wisdom that applies in all situations, it’s “This too shall pass.”
Your life on earth will one day end, and with its passage so will your hurts, your fear, your struggles. You will enter into eternity with God—the one thing that shall never pass. The best is yet to come! May you find comfort in that when you are suffering.
7) Thank God for stirring the coals!
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5
God’s goal is not for you to have the most carefree, comfortable earthly life possible. No, he thinks bigger than that. He thinks along the lines of glory and eternal paradise, and he’ll do what it takes to strengthen your faith and get you there. Rejoice when trials draw you closer to him! Thank him for stirring the coals, for helping you build rock-solid faith and a closer relationship with him.
And it’s getting cold in here so I think I’ll go stir the coals right now. 🙂
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
Oh Lauren, What a heart warming message on this cold Wisconsin day! Let’s keep stirring those coals and hearing/reading the Word. Stay warm! God Bless.
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Your analogies are spot on. Your boys are so blessed to have you and Brian as their Christian guides. Thank you for another great article. Keep stirring those coals. Love you.
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