10.31.16

 
 
 
Devotional for Monday, October 31, 2016
“Don’t Run But Stand Firm”
 
your faith will blossom
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
 
 
 
 
James 1:2-4 (The Voice)
 
“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and
sisters. As difficult as they are, you will
ultimately find joy in them; if you
embrace them, your faith will blossom
under pressure and teach you true
patience as you endure. And true patience
brought on by endurance will equip
you to complete the long journey and
cross the finish line—mature, complete,
and wanting nothing.”
 
 
 
It can be so tempting to try to ignore or run away from the pressures of this life.   Some run to places, some turn to alcohol and drugs, some go shopping, etc…    No matter who we are, and no matter how strong we may be we will face pressures in this life, and with those pressures come the decision of how we are going to handle them.    To be quite honest this scripture in James used to kind of baffle me, and I would think I can not understand why James would say to count it as joy when you are going through a bad time. The more of life that I have experienced the more I understand this scripture.  If our hearts and minds are open, hardships have the ability to bring new perspective, and greater appreciation for everything and everyone around you.
I can not tell you how many times I have heard people express a thankful heart for the hardship they walked through because with the help of God they came out stronger and embraced a wealth of wisdom from their experience.
 
We need to come to a place where we embrace hardships and tests with a right attitude.  It seems that our  human nature just wants to live in a place where there is no conflict but we well know that on this earth that is not going to happen. I find it troubling when Christians want to get angry with God, and turn their eyes away from Him when things are not going their way.   The truth is, we live in a fallen world where stressful days and unfortunate things can happen to anyone but we serve a risen Savior that is well able to bring victory in every thing we face!
 
 
Jesus tells us in the Word that we will have trials and troubles and He tells us how to handle them.
 
John 16:33 (AMP)
 
” I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”    Isn’t it interesting that Jesus mentions that in the midst of tribulation, trials, distress and frustration that we are to be of good cheer or as James said it,  “Count it all joy…”
 
 
May we continue to grow in our faith as we live everyday for Him.    May we keep our eyes toward Him when all is well, and may we ever keep our gaze on Him when we have hardships.   God has promised that He would equip us in this journey.   May we rest in that promise no matter what.   God is good all the time, all the time…God is Good!