“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3 NASB)
Now I know it’s easy to find joy when things are going well. It’s even easier to lose joy in the face of trials. It is in these trials that we stop focusing on God. Without God there is no joy.
I was driving my friend home yesterday after church with my wife and 3 kids in the car. It is about an hour drive to his house from church on the highway. I was about three quarters of the way to his house when I started losing control of the car on the highway. So I pulled over and behold a trial.(A.K.A a flat tire). We pulled all the stuff out of the trunk to get the spare. Changed the tire and BAM!!! Spare was flat. Thankfully the Lord got us to our destination safely.
I could’ve let this trial steal my joy and mess up my testimony in front of my friend, but I chose to keep my eyes fixed on God and thanked Him. I am so thankful no one was hurt. I am thankful that my friend was there to help me with the tire because I have a fractured rib and some health issues that make this job a little difficult. The point is I focused only on being JOYFULLY THANKFUL.
God lets us hit the metaphorical bumps in the road to strengthen and grow us. So that we may be a testimony of His love and grace. To keep us on track with His sovereign plan for us. Rejoice always.
Heavenly Father,
Lord I want to thank you for every trial that comes my way. I know in times of trials that it is easy to lose focus of the JOY you bless me with. I ask that during times of trials and hardship that you guide my steps so that I may not falter. Let my trials glorify You and Your amazing grace. I ask this is Jesus name. Amen.
