Faith has many challenges.
James tells us to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds. He then explains. The testing of our faith produces perseverance. The faithful remain faithful. Perseverance has a long slow process of work to accomplish. That work is our maturity and completeness so that we lack nothing in our relationship with God.
The joy is not immediate nor is it a worldly kind of joy. It is a joy of peace and contentment. A joy of trust in the one worthy of our trust. The rewards of such a persevering faith are indescribable.
One of faith’s challenges are unanswered questions.
Job had questions for God. They went unanswered. The enduring faith of Job is expressed in his words, “even if he slays me, yet will I trust him.”
Eve had questions when she looked at the tree through her own eyes following the twisting of God’s words by the serpent. Perhaps her question might have been, “Surely God would not condemn us from eating of the tree if he saw it like I see it.” But God spoke no more than he had already spoken. Her questions went unanswered. But they were already answered. She decided not to trust.
We all have questions. What do we do if they are not answered? Do we still consider God trustworthy? Do we hold to him even when we don’t understand? Do we trust him and what he as done when to us there seems no reason to trust?
Yes. A thousand times, yes. He has proven himself again and again and again to be trustworthy. All things will turn out just as he as said.