HOLDING ON

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
 
James 1:2-4
 
James says to us, “… whenever you face trials…” He doesn’t say you may face a trial someday. He says when. If you are not in a trial right now, hold on, it’s coming.
 
I read in a book, “Preaching Through the Storm”, that we are in one of three places: (1) In a storm; (2) coming out of a storm; or (3) there is a storm brewing on the horizon, even if we can’t see it yet.
 
God has a purpose for these trials in our lives. They help us develop perseverance … endurance … build our faith. We are becoming more “mature and complete” when we are able to focus on the LORD in the storm vs. focusing on our circumstances.
 
“Count it pure joy…”
 
A thought from today’s devotion … if you would like to easily journal your prayers on your PC, check out this link: http://www.pcpray.com/index.php