The true test of our faithfulness is not while we are surrounded by “yes” people. The true test comes when you are surrounded by those who reject you, mock you, and persecute you. This is the moment of your greatest heart trial.

This is when we see what we are made of. Whether or not we will follow Jesus when the storms rage, or we simply fall back with everyone else.

It is when all you hear is how you can’t, how you won’t, how you shouldn’t, how you’ll be defeated.

It’s when the “Peter’s” rise to tell you not to go to Jerusalem while Christ calls you to pick up your cross and follow. You had best ask for the “discerning of spirits.”

It’s that moment when your eyes must close and your ears must be fine-tuned to the voice of the Savior. When in the loudest room of your “destiny” the Good Shepherd is the ONLY voice that is left and the only one you determine you’ll bow to. All others must be silenced.

It is the moment when the death of a thing is imminent, but you still keep following Jesus. When like Paul, all of Asia leaves you, but you keep following Jesus. It’s when demons follow you for 3 days taunting you until you turn and command it gone. It’s when the arrows of the devil hit your heart over and over, but you keep getting back up.

This is the true test of the soldiers of Christ.

Oh, yes. Not until all that’s left is you and Christ will we truly know whether our heart is purely set on Him.

Until that very moment, we are good at the “going.” As long as there is applause we shall never know our true conviction to stay the course. It’s when the stones are hurled that your faithfulness of heart will be revealed.

The season is coming. Friends, when this test will knock at your own door.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)