Do you remember all the worry and stress, when you had to take tests or examinations at school? There was nothing you could do about it, you either passed or failed, but you couldn't avoid them. I have found that life works that way too, but when it comes to life's tests - you must prepare yourselves in advance!

Jesus told the parable of the wise man who built his house on rock, the rains descended the floods came and the winds blew on the house, but it did not fall. The foolish man built his house on sand and when the floods and rain came, his house fell and great was its fall. The first man built his house on rock because he knew that it wasn't a question of if, but when the storm would come. The second man built on sand because it was cheap and easy but had no solid foundation.

So what's the point Jesus was making? Your talents and your reputation may well get you to the top of your chosen profession, but if you haven't built strong character, you won't stay there for long. Your beliefs may well be sincere and agree with what other people around you think, but unless they are founded on God's word, they'll fail you when you need them most. Life can be like a vice at times, at times it will squeeze you and in those moments, you will find yourself relying on your faith to see you through. Selfishness and self-interest promises much, but produces little in results, you need integrity, which never disappoints. When the tests of life come, you've got to be able to rise up and say, "I may not have all the answers to the difficulties in my life, but I do have faith in God's track record and I am putting all my trust in Him."