Well I last blogged about having faith tested in trials, and mine surely is being tested right now!
In less than a month, I will be turning 50. It's not a traumatic event - I'm pretty excited about it, and also about the party my oldest sister is going to be throwing in my honor.
I ask myself, "how did I get here so fast"? I notice that with each year that passes, I'm not able to bounce back as quickly when I get hurt or if I get sick, but I am developing a more peaceful attitude towards life; so contrary to my high strung nature I've always had.
I am praying for God's peace to flood all over me in the next week or so. In addition to the emotional trials I'm wrestling with regarding my son going off to boot camp, I have some health issues that are somewhat fearful, and I don't want to let fear get hold of me.
I trust the Lord with my salvation, so why is it so hard at times to trust him with things like our health, etc.? I tend to believe that it all comes down to an "I can handle this one by myself" attitude, and as surely as I (we) do, then it seems to open the door for fear and all it's buddies to come in and invade our sense of peace.
I have decided that my stance is going to be this - no matter what the outcome of some tests I have to have run this week, God is still in control and will get me through it, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Perserverance is seeking to become my dear, close friend. I intend to embrace that friendship, and strive to seek the Lord more and more in order that I don't allow Fear to butt in and try to take its place.
Blessings,
Janelle
Showing posts with label perserverance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perserverance. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Facing Life's Trials
Today I'm starting the book of James, found in the New Testament. Most believe that this was written by the brother of Jesus.
This book focuses on teaching practical living for Christian believers.
The first part of Chapter 1 is about the trials of life, which we all face from time to time. Verses 2 - 4 say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything".
We don't often go into one of life's trials with a joyful attitude, but the Lord is speaking to us through James, that this is His way of facing them, and when we apply this attitude to our lives, it will only benefit us in every way.
Most of us can probably say that patience is not one of our virtues. We live in a society that has trained us to expect instant gratification for just about everything. We find ourselves saying, "God give me patience". Well if we ask him for that, we need to expect him to test us in it! How else will we learn patience if we don't experience something that requires it from us?
James says that our faith develops perseverance - the stronger we become in our faith in the Lord's faithfulness, the more mature we become spiritually.
I know there are several areas in my life right now that I consider trials. I am having some health issues that I'm trusting the Lord to get me through, and I think the hardest trial I face right now is one of anxiety regarding my son joining the U.S. Army and going off for basic training next week. I have to keep reminding myself that when my son was a young child, I dedicated him to the Lord, and just as I trusted the Lord to help me in raising him, I have to now put my trust in Him to protect my son - to strengthen him as a man, both spiritually and physically, so he will in turn, be able to face all the trials that will be in front of him over the next few years.
Pray for our sons and daughters who are serving this great country we live in. It is because of their service, that we have the freedoms that all to many take for granted.
Blessings,
Janelle
This book focuses on teaching practical living for Christian believers.
The first part of Chapter 1 is about the trials of life, which we all face from time to time. Verses 2 - 4 say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything".
We don't often go into one of life's trials with a joyful attitude, but the Lord is speaking to us through James, that this is His way of facing them, and when we apply this attitude to our lives, it will only benefit us in every way.
Most of us can probably say that patience is not one of our virtues. We live in a society that has trained us to expect instant gratification for just about everything. We find ourselves saying, "God give me patience". Well if we ask him for that, we need to expect him to test us in it! How else will we learn patience if we don't experience something that requires it from us?
James says that our faith develops perseverance - the stronger we become in our faith in the Lord's faithfulness, the more mature we become spiritually.
I know there are several areas in my life right now that I consider trials. I am having some health issues that I'm trusting the Lord to get me through, and I think the hardest trial I face right now is one of anxiety regarding my son joining the U.S. Army and going off for basic training next week. I have to keep reminding myself that when my son was a young child, I dedicated him to the Lord, and just as I trusted the Lord to help me in raising him, I have to now put my trust in Him to protect my son - to strengthen him as a man, both spiritually and physically, so he will in turn, be able to face all the trials that will be in front of him over the next few years.
Pray for our sons and daughters who are serving this great country we live in. It is because of their service, that we have the freedoms that all to many take for granted.
Blessings,
Janelle
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