The 9th OF JULY
WE CAN REJOICE DURING TRIALS, KNOWING THAT THEY CAUSE US TO GROW IN ENDURANCE AND SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. – James 1:2-3
The effects of the same trial are not the same for all people. Something that might be devastating for one Christian, might be minor for another one. We have all followed different paths in life and have faced different hardships. So, whatever we have to deal with, we are not told to rejoice for the pain, but to have the right perspective about it. And that is God’s perspective.
In the Good News Version Bible, the above verses are written like this: “My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure.”
We can be certain that every hardship is a test of our faith. The more tests we pass, the stronger our faith gets and the better we handle hardships. Experience is very important in every area of life, especially in our walk with Jesus. The better we endure a bad situation, keeping a right attitude and a good heart, the more we mature spiritually and the better we become at keeping our inner peace in the midst of any storm. Our peace and joy should not be based on circumstances, but in knowing who God is and how He changes every bad thing into something good for us.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Thank You Lord that with Your help I can rejoice, no matter what my circumstances are. Please help me see what good comes out of everything I am going through and know that the testing of my faith produces endurance and makes me stronger. Thank You Lord that with every test I pass, I become more mature while my faith and inner peace are increased; please help me to choose to rejoice while going through hardships, knowing that my victory is close and You will use what I am going through, to increase my ability to endure and be stronger in my walk with You. Glory and honor to Your holy Name, for ever and ever. Amen
Source: thetruthstandsforever
