I've been through a lot of ups and downs over the years. We all have.
Trials take on various forms:
Trials take on various forms:
Pain. Betrayal. Hurt. Sickness. Disappointment. Heartache. Loss.
But James 1:2-4 says to consider all of that pure joy?! Come on, how can I be JOYFUL when I'm going through my own personal hell on earth?? There's those questions of "why me?!" and "will this ever get easier?!" and even sometimes the question of "where is God in all of this?!?!".
Yet in the middle of it all, I know God is there. He's walking through it with me; more often carrying me through it. Holding me when I cry. Patiently helping me sort through the anger and bitterness that threatens to well up. Protecting my heart when I throw childish temper tantrums. Listening to my often times irrational reasonings and attempts to hold on. Giving me strength to make it through another day or even to just take my next breath.
And then it comes...
It comes when I surrender. It comes when I let go and quit trying to control. It comes when I stop selfishly dwelling on how things aren't going the way I planned. It comes when I forgive. It comes when I shut up and really listen to God's heart. It comes when I force myself into a reality check and ask if I'm really trusting God? Do I trust that God loves me and is working His best for my life? Do I trust that God will never leave me or abandon me? Do I trust that God is always in control even when I don't understand?
Sometimes it comes slowly at first, and sometimes it's like an overwhelming wave that crashes and envelops. But it comes...
Joy.
The trial may not go away, but it comes...renewed strength and peace and yes...joy.
I think the part that gets me these days most often is that PERSEVERANCE piece though. I've been loving how quickly and graciously God seems to bring my focus back to Him. But just because I trust Him and continue to pursue Him doesn't mean that I don't lose hope along the way. It's so easy to fall into a cycle. Completely and genuinely trusting for a while, but then circumstances don't change. Joy starts waning. The old voices of doubt creep in. And before I know it, I'm right back in the thick of things. It's so frustrating! But that's the exact point when my faith stirs my heart to keep pressing forward in perseverance.
He's promised He'll give me wisdom (v. 5). He's promised a crown of life as a reward for my patient endurance (v. 12). He gives me freedom and blessings as I follow and obey His Word (v. 25). Every good and perfect gift comes from my heavenly Father (v.17). And God once again takes my hand and shows me who HE is. He lovingly reminds me of His faithfulness. That He is trustworthy. That He is in control. That He is always working all things together for my good.
And then it comes again...joy. :-)
Yet in the middle of it all, I know God is there. He's walking through it with me; more often carrying me through it. Holding me when I cry. Patiently helping me sort through the anger and bitterness that threatens to well up. Protecting my heart when I throw childish temper tantrums. Listening to my often times irrational reasonings and attempts to hold on. Giving me strength to make it through another day or even to just take my next breath.
And then it comes...
It comes when I surrender. It comes when I let go and quit trying to control. It comes when I stop selfishly dwelling on how things aren't going the way I planned. It comes when I forgive. It comes when I shut up and really listen to God's heart. It comes when I force myself into a reality check and ask if I'm really trusting God? Do I trust that God loves me and is working His best for my life? Do I trust that God will never leave me or abandon me? Do I trust that God is always in control even when I don't understand?
Sometimes it comes slowly at first, and sometimes it's like an overwhelming wave that crashes and envelops. But it comes...
Joy.
The trial may not go away, but it comes...renewed strength and peace and yes...joy.
I think the part that gets me these days most often is that PERSEVERANCE piece though. I've been loving how quickly and graciously God seems to bring my focus back to Him. But just because I trust Him and continue to pursue Him doesn't mean that I don't lose hope along the way. It's so easy to fall into a cycle. Completely and genuinely trusting for a while, but then circumstances don't change. Joy starts waning. The old voices of doubt creep in. And before I know it, I'm right back in the thick of things. It's so frustrating! But that's the exact point when my faith stirs my heart to keep pressing forward in perseverance.
He's promised He'll give me wisdom (v. 5). He's promised a crown of life as a reward for my patient endurance (v. 12). He gives me freedom and blessings as I follow and obey His Word (v. 25). Every good and perfect gift comes from my heavenly Father (v.17). And God once again takes my hand and shows me who HE is. He lovingly reminds me of His faithfulness. That He is trustworthy. That He is in control. That He is always working all things together for my good.
And then it comes again...joy. :-)
1 comment:
I love this! Thank you for a really important reminder.
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