TRIALS EQUAL PURE JOY? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

 

     It's the day after Thanksgiving so as we digest the amazing food we enjoyed, we return to our normal lives. Maybe you have to work today or maybe you are enjoying time away. I pray you are all blessed and will always be grateful for what you have!

     I remember being 17 years old and reading the book of James in the Bible. The second verse in the first chapter says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. WHAT? Consider it joy? Be happy that you are struggling? When you face struggles, you should have a big old smile on your face?" I was young and I thought to myself, "No! Not me! I don't want to be happy during a trial or struggle. Why can't life just be easy, simple and with no worries or difficulties?"

     Have you ever met someone who has a perfect life? Their job is perfect, their kids are perfect, their car is perfect and they dress perfect. In your flesh, you just wat to mess up their hair! You realize later on that they hate their line of work, their kids are not very nice and spoiled, and they are having issues with their perfect car. In the long run they are not perfect, and neither is their life.

     Since mid-September, I have gone through several trials. I don't want to explain each one in detail but let's just say it has been trying. I do want to say that I have survived it all, but it was and has been difficult. I have had nights where I wake up at 3 am with anxiety, and I have had moments of doubt, worry and fear during the difficult season in my life. I am not perfect, and I stress out just like everyone else. I am reminded of what the second part of the verse in James 1:2,3 says. It doesn't just end with "Consider it pure joy", it also says in the second part of that verse ...  "Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Perseverance? Yes! Perseverance. We have to and need to persevere. It has never said in the Bible that the Christian life was going to be easy. We can't give up! The trials we face make us better people who depend on God and put their trust, faith and hope in Him!

     So, if you are going through a huge trial ... fear not! God knows what you are going through and God knows when you struggle and when you are in pain. He will pull you through so trust Him 100%!

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!!