Photo by Francis Gomes

The journey into perfect love through spiritual growth and dedicated action can be difficult and often seems inconceivable, but through faith and trust in God, everything is possible.

The journey into perfect love through spiritual growth and dedicated action can be difficult and often seems inconceivable, but through faith and trust in God, everything is possible.

In these troubled times, where everything is so uncertain, and the urge to sin is ever present almost everywhere, it is not surprising that many tempt fate and stray from their paths.

Sometimes, the world seems so bleak, the sky so dark that the light at the end does not feel like it exists. It is like we are just groping through a cavern blindly without the hope of ever getting out.

Yet, that is precisely the test.

If we were already accustomed to the light and knew where it lay on the horizon, would we ever have the impetus to become better than we are now? I think not.

You see, it is only through adversity that we push ourselves to grow spiritually and better ourselves. 

Through trials and tribulations, people truly understand themselves and their place in the world, eventually becoming the best versions of themselves worthy of the perfect love Christ sacrificed Himself for and God gifted us when Creation first began.

But this perfect love has to be worked for; it has to be journeyed towards and invited to sit in our hearts–while, most importantly, placing our faith and lives in God’s hands and completely trusting Him to know the best path forward.

Memoirs like The Other Side Of Fear by Veronica Lisare–modern narratives of a journey into perfect love through spiritual growth–help provide a familiar context for our paths. But looking into stories from the past can offer us simple but profound insights into faith and learning to live according to a higher power’s will.

So, here are some biblical narratives that help us learn the importance of faith and devotion to stave off vice and temptation and keep us on the correct trajectory.

Conquering Implausible Odds

In the story of David and Goliath, the young David is faced with the colossal task of defeating the terrible giant of the Philistines, Goliath. Although the giant is fully armored and wields a sword, spear, and javelin, young David ultimately triumphs in the battle with a slingshot, nothing more than a child’s toy, striking Goliath down with a single shot to the forehead.

And how did the young David do that?

It was because he believed. David had faith in the Lord and entrusted his life to His hands while also at the same time dedicating the action to God. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 COR 10:31

We all should be mindful and appreciative of God’s blessings and, as such, devote life to Him.

Overcoming Awful Ordeals

In the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three men were called upon by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who demanded them to kneel before the king’s image, or else he was going to throw them into a burning furnace. 

But because of their deep faith, the three men refused, so the king threw them into the furnace. 

Yet, instead of burning and screaming for forgiveness, the three men were unharmed by the flames because they trusted God was there for them. The king, awed, pulled them out, and converted to worship on the spot!

The story of the three men reminds us that conviction can take us very far. Only with the knowledge that a higher power guides us can we come through the harshest and most terrible trials and tribulations. It gives us a vision of the other side.

There Is No Test Without Purpose

In the story of Abraham and Isaac, the patriarch Abraham is asked by God to kill his son Isaac and dedicate the sacrifice to Him. Although Abraham was initially reluctant, he continued onward, brought his son Isaac to the top of the peak, and prepared to sacrifice him to God. 

And when Abraham was about to take a knife to kill Isaac, an angel emerged from heaven and stopped him, saying that this was a test from the Lord, who wished to know if Abraham indeed was of the faith.

We are taught that it is not without reason when faced with tests. There is always a purpose for our trials, whether learning a lesson or having your faith reinforced. Every tribulation has an end-point, and it is with conviction that we must know to reach it.