Testing of Faith

CONSIDER IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER VARIOUS TRIALS.

You can consider something a joyful opportunity even when you are feeling quite joyless.

Some definitions of "consider" are: "to think about seriously; to regard as; to believe after deliberation."

You may need to ponder your circumstances at length before you can view them in a positive light.

You need to give yourself time for your feelings to settle down.

It's hard to think clearly with high levels of emotions surging through your brain.

Once you have calmed down, you will be able to think seriously about your situation.

Invite Me into this process of deliberation, and My Presence will improve your perspective: helping you see your trials in the Light of eternity.

As you look at your circumstances from My perspective, you come to understand that these multiple problems are testing your faith.

This is both an opportunity (to strengthen your faith) and a temptation (to let your feelings "trump" your faith).

One of the hardest things about trials is the uncertainty about how long they will last.

Usually, you can't predict or control the unpleasant circumstances.

You just have to live with them indefinitely.

At times you may feel as if you can endure no more, but you can always reach out to Me for help.

As you cling to Me moment by moment, I enable you to persevere.

This produces in you not only endurance but also a harvest of righteousness and peace.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong! !

"Consider it all joy . . . when you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
JAMES 1:2–3

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." MATTHEW 19:26 NKJV

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
HEBREWS 12:11