STRONG InCHRIST

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SINC is pleased to post another Devotional written by a SINC member:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” -James 1:2-4

We should embrace patience over passion.  Passion unbridled leads us on a very shaky road.  The testing of faith produces patience, which is the ability to endure.  This is the product of the mature believer.  Becoming a Christian does not automatically exclude a believer from difficulties in life.

As a believer, we must “count it all joy.”  This is not an emotion, but a deliberate attitude, a choice in life to see God’s perspective, seeing trials as a way to bring about moral and spiritual growth.  We should not so much as ask for the removal of trials, as we should rather ask God what He is trying to show us and teach us in the times of difficulty.  We should not rejoice that we are in a trial, but rejoice in the possible results that can be brought about if we are looking to God.  The pressures of trials and how you react to it shows what kind of person/believer you are and your depth of faith in God.  It does not mean that when we are less than perfect with our joy we are not true believers, but it does depend on the choice you make when you realize where you have fallen in joy. Take it to God and tell Him you forgot for the moment, but you will rejoice in that moment.  That is a true believer, admitting where you went wrong and correcting it through His power and might.  I will rejoice in the knowledge of the goodness of God and not waiver.  I will establish my heart and thoughts in the ways of God.  I will not simply act calm, but I will walk amongst my trials in joy and rejoice.  In our rejoicing and praising God, we will find true peace and joy.

Patience is a result of rejoicing amongst our trials.  Do not pray for patience unless you are ready for the trials, for trials will either make or break you, for your faith will be tested.  We must endure in our trials so that God can work His work in us and bring about Christ likeness that He intends through the storms, to work His perfect work in and through us.  We cannot pray for patience and expect to receive it immediately.  We must learn patience through our misfortune and allow them to strengthen us rather than bring us down.  Our patience shows our genuineness to serve God and build His kingdom.  It shows that we are ready to endure for His sake with steadfastness.  Our trials are to teach us to look to God for our safe house and not ourselves.

To have joy is to be content with what God has done for you and given you in this life.  God is my source of well being and satisfaction.  So I am thankful for the trials in my life past and present.  Have I always acted in His perfect joy?  No, it has been a process in my life, and it continues to be a process.  Do I give up when I begin to sulk and cry unfair?  No!  When I become aware of my disposition I take it to God and praise Him in this storm.  I rebuke the passion to cry out and throw a fit; and then and their cry out to God and embrace Him as my strong tower, lighthouse.  I am thankful for what God has given me: good health, a wonderful and loving family, parents who raised me in the ways of our good Lord, kids who want to pray and please God, a husband who works hard and plays just as hard with his family, I am thankful that the majority of my extended family are believers and I am thankful for how close we all are.  I have so much to be thankful for.

I am thankful for the beginning of a marriage that waivered at first, but have learned so much about myself and my husband.  Now when the storms hit us we run to each other rather than away.  Most of all, I am thankful for the Supreme God Almighty who instead of giving up on us, His creation, embraced us with all that He is.  God uses the trials of life to show us who He is and who He is to us, and what He wants to do for us.  God gave His only begotten son so that we may live life everlasting in His presence forever.  So I say that I will rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will rejoice.  God is my source and cause of delight, not the things of this world.  The things and people of this world are temporal and will let you down, but God is everlasting and eternal and He will never let you down.   I count it all joy, will you?

This is my prayer for each and everyone who reads these words:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13

In Jesus’ name Amen.

WRITTEN BY: -Nichole Willsey

Meditation: How have I been strengthened by enduring previous trials? How have I grown from these experiences in the past? Seeing how trials have shaped my life, and knowing that God is at the helm, what should my attitude be next time I face a trial?

Peace & Blessings.