In the book of James, he writes about counting trials as joy.
This is where we roll our eyes and sigh.
But... it is in the Bible, so maybe its possible- right?
James 1:2-8
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
After my husband lost a large part of our income, I immediately read this verse. I rolled my eyes. But before I slammed the Bible shut I considered that I may have something to learn here, and it turns out I did! So I would like to share a few things that we can have joy about.
The first thing to do is put a firm stamp right on the problem to declare something good (and by good, I mean fantastic) will come out of it.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
True, according to these verses fantastic things will come after we have been patient enough, eliminated doubting, and are living within the purpose of God. Sounds quite daunting in the midst of a trial. But then again, why would we want it any other way? This is our life- the only one we get. Is it worth it to shut up and endure while God works out His perfect plan? I dare say so, because worse than the trial is the thought of not experiencing the adventure of what I was made for.
Endure to see the fantastic.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Peace in Bloom
The last 12 months may have taken off five years of my life. There were days where I would wake up in terror, wondering how I could get through the day myself not to mention that I had four children to care for.
I'm not sure what is more fearful, the cause of the fear or fear itself. It seems to overtake your thinking in all areas. I dare admit that the thing I feared is not nearly as horrible as what most women face in this world. For that, I was thankful and sometimes ashamed, because I'd let it get to me again.
But here is the good news: There is a peace to match the fear. That is a fact. No matter the circumstances, it is there and it is possible to attain. I knew that, but getting there was not always easy.
And then one day, it was. After 12 months of roller coasters, I didn't have to fight it anymore. I just believed. I didn't need to justify my thoughts or map out a game plan, I just was overtaken by hope and joy. My heart rested. My circumstances worsened. My heart rested. My heart rested.
My circumstances improved. My faith was strengthened. My heart rested. My prayers went up. They were answered. My faith was strengthened. My heart rested.
And what I 've began to realize that the fear has cost me my love for teaching, my creativity, my thanksgiving for my children, and whatever else had given me joy.
Fear steals, so find the truth. Hold on until it becomes an undeniable reality, because if you don't give up, peace will bloom. And with peace, we are able to make this world a bit better for someone else.
I'm not sure what is more fearful, the cause of the fear or fear itself. It seems to overtake your thinking in all areas. I dare admit that the thing I feared is not nearly as horrible as what most women face in this world. For that, I was thankful and sometimes ashamed, because I'd let it get to me again.
But here is the good news: There is a peace to match the fear. That is a fact. No matter the circumstances, it is there and it is possible to attain. I knew that, but getting there was not always easy.
And then one day, it was. After 12 months of roller coasters, I didn't have to fight it anymore. I just believed. I didn't need to justify my thoughts or map out a game plan, I just was overtaken by hope and joy. My heart rested. My circumstances worsened. My heart rested. My heart rested.
My circumstances improved. My faith was strengthened. My heart rested. My prayers went up. They were answered. My faith was strengthened. My heart rested.
And what I 've began to realize that the fear has cost me my love for teaching, my creativity, my thanksgiving for my children, and whatever else had given me joy.
Fear steals, so find the truth. Hold on until it becomes an undeniable reality, because if you don't give up, peace will bloom. And with peace, we are able to make this world a bit better for someone else.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Gifts
Every day a gift awaits, specifically designed for you on that particular day, you can expect that it will be there.
We miss it often, not looking for it, expecting something different, distracted by worries....
But if we live wide-eyed in anticipation, we see it. And it changes us.
The splendor of the sky, the color of a cardinal, the smile of a stranger, the unexpected blessings. These are gifts, but the gift is only as valuable as the thankfulness of the receiver. And the more thankful we are, the richer we become.
And the more glimpses we get of the giver, the creator, the one that knows what we need when we need it, today and forever.
What if we properly received every single gift?
We miss it often, not looking for it, expecting something different, distracted by worries....
But if we live wide-eyed in anticipation, we see it. And it changes us.
The splendor of the sky, the color of a cardinal, the smile of a stranger, the unexpected blessings. These are gifts, but the gift is only as valuable as the thankfulness of the receiver. And the more thankful we are, the richer we become.
And the more glimpses we get of the giver, the creator, the one that knows what we need when we need it, today and forever.
What if we properly received every single gift?
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