"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3
'The book of James is an interesting book...If its guidelines are followed, they can make a radical difference in our lives.
James talks about trials...[about] the many kinds of difficulties that come into our lives. Some of them happen because of circumstances beyond our control, and others we bring on ourselves because of [choices we've made and] sin. When he talks about joy, he's not talking about happiness or pleasure...[but] a sense of gladness. It is the ability to look beyond the problem or difficulty and see the opportunity for growth. it means discovering how God can be glorified through what we are experiencing.
James tells us to consider trials a joy. "Considering" is a matter of attitude, making a choice about how you will respond to your trials. It is a decision to endure because of your desire to do the will of God. It is a choice to complete the will of God IN SPITE OF what it costs you. You're not denying the trial, you're realistically facing it and in time turning the heartache into joy. And the result is perseverance or endurance.
Yes, it is possible to actually experience an inner peace while your world is crumbling around you...'
Find joy in trials...SAY WHAT?!?! How is that possible. Nobody finds joys in a crisis. 1 1/2 years ago and I would have agreed with you...but then I got pregnant. If you know me, you know I wasn't married when this happened. If you know my family (and my husband's family) you know that this was not easy news to deliver. Not only were we not married, but Pat was deployed and I was left alone to deal with the pregnancy and face the disappointment of our families. (They never stopped loving us through it) What was worse, for me at least, was that I was torn. I was so excited and happy and felt so blessed that I was pregnant and God had chosen me for a specific little life but my world was slowly collapsing and I had no support to keep those walls from falling down. Throughout my pregnancy I kept a positive attitude because I kept God near me, but please don't think for a second that just because I had Him near me that it was easy. Telling our parents and hearing the disappointment in their voices was devastating. Not having graduated from college or having a true home of my own or a salaried job with healthcare made me feel like I was drowning. I cannot put in to words the panic I felt in the beginning (and, honestly, still do to this day). But, through it all, I could see God's hand and see His work being done. Everyday I woke up without morning sickness, every time I looked at my sweet baby in an ultrasound picture, and every time I felt a nudge/punch/kick, I knew how truly blessed I was and that God was going to provide for all of the unknowns. When I would cry myself to sleep at night from being scared or lonely, Ryder would, faithfully, give me a nudge/punch/kick to let me know he was there. I knew that was God's way of telling me He was there, too.
If you have doubts or questions about whether God is really there, just look at me. There is no way I could have made it through my pregnancy without my boyfriend/fiance/husband and, all the while, finishing my last semester of college, working full time, and having a full time internship. I have never felt more close to God than I have since I got pregnant. That crisis not only gave me perseverance and strengthened my faith, but it taught me how important my attitude is. I had a peace about it. I knew people would yell and some would be disappointed and might not talk to me for awhile, but I knew that once people saw Ryder-they would be just as happy and excited as I was (and they were). And here I am today, with a husband I am completely in love with, a beautiful baby boy, a wonderful home, and back in school for something I really love:)
I serve an AWESOME God!
