1Corinthians 3:10-13 AMP:
10 According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it,
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
12 But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
13 The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.
14 If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.
James 1:2-5 AMP:
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of [b]the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him
There is times where our belief structure is laid; our foundation in who God is and His word is implanted in our life. Than there is seasons where this foundation is tested by the storms. These seasons are the moments that our foundation that has been laid is tested and our faith begins to grow building upon that which has already been laid. It's almost as if an inspector(God) looks at the foundation that has been laid and points out the areas in that foundation that need some work, thus perfecting it and making it better. God is always at work in our life but every moment that we walk through isn't going to be blissful. There is going to be moments of great blessing and moments of great trial, each just as vitally important as the other. But it's in the moments of great trial that we truly get to see the goodness of our Heavenly Father. It's in those moments of difficulty that we get to see our great Healer, Protector, Provider and Comforter come through on our behalf. Remember to seek God in every season. It is the seeking Him in the good times that gives us the strength to get through the trying times. And remember that in those times of the storms of life that He is at work building upon the foundation of our life so that when the storm clears the beautiful foundation that is our life will be revealed stronger and more splendid than before.
Be Blessed!!
Josh
