The book of James has been "In My Face" a lot for the past two weeks. My sis-in-law Kathy and I have been discussing it quite a bit as we seek patience for the things in our lives. And then again, James came up in Sunday's sermon.
I guess this is a sign for me to get serious about what James had to say. So I'll start at the start. And it is my goal to memorize these two verses.
I will memorize the above version - New King James - because that is my most used Bible - but I also like how the NIV says it "2-Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3-because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." I'd like to persever through my trials AND come out with patience! And also the version from The Message "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors."
No matter what version it comes from - we are to be grateful and HAPPY to face trials & challenges because it will strengthen us if we can have patience, perseverance & faith!
When you're waiting for something, when things aren't going your way or when you are feeling like your are going through something with no end in sight, we start praying to God to speed things up. Time goes so slow, almost backwards, while we wait on Him to solve whatever it is we are waiting for, experiencing or facing! It can be hard to look beyond our own time frames & look to God's.
We might think that we have plenty of patience & that, OK God, you proved your point - here I am being patient - when really, He's only just begun this little life lesson of testing. Some of us Falter, Fume or Forget! All the wrong f-words for those of us who should be Focusing on FAITH. Faith that God's timing is better than our own. Faith that we are growing because of this. Faith that we can lean on Him when we are waiting! And Faith that all of these things are drawing us nearer to Him...which is the ultimate goal. So, despite of our impatience, when the trials come, we really SHOULD embrace them joyfully, like a gift that, though it may be hard, we are going to come out of it stronger & closer to God!
I can't say I'm excited about my trials or impatience, but I'm certain that God is with me while I wait on His time & that my faith can grow stronger as I look to him for the end of the test.
Very encouraging!
ReplyDeleteBecky, I visit your blog often and although I don't always comment, I am blessed by your musings, photos and faith.
ReplyDeleteToday's post was EXACTLY what I needed to read today, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Love to you always,
Melinda
Becky this is a wonderful post....faith, yes we all need it and work for it...and it is not fun to go thru the trials..but in the end we are being getting more and more Christ~like....and thru the storms He is holding the umbrella....
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Patience, it really is a hard thing to wait for what we want, to say God in your time is so hard, but amazingly enough He really does know the very best times for things, in fact the perfect time. What we really need is to go to sleep and wait for God to take action when He sees fit.- great post sis, good reminder to again let Him have control and quit stressing about things that we can not control.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Beck. It is so hard waiting. The last so many years God's been teaching me to "be still and know that He is God." That being still is hard for this get up and go girl. So I know what you mean when you say, "It can be hard to look beyond our own time frames and look to God's."
ReplyDeleteWaiting on God, doesn't mean we don't keep moving, but it's a heart matter. Oh the heart... how much we need Jesus everyday.
Take care my friend and that was a really cool picture. I'd love to climb that and catch a glimpse of the view at the top!
Thanks for the comments friends!
ReplyDeleteMelinda my friend - thanks for stopping by & glad it was what you needed. Thinking of you!
sunnysusan - I like that umbrella analogy!!
SKS - I know what you mean by finding it hard to 'be still' sometimes! And yes, those stairs were quite the climb - but we started at the top, climbed DOWN to all the buildings and then had to climb all the way back up again. Tiring day!
Hey Kid
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with the Book of James. It is a foundation stone for believers. I love verse 4 - then you will be complete lacking nothing. Incredible!
The testing of your faith is a valuable thing indeed.
Hey you should check out the Mad Cow posting at our ranch blog. www.eaglesnestranch.blogspot.com
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Nice picture. And yes, amen, to all you've said. A man from our church is going through the book of James with us. He's not our pastor, so his ministry is sporadic. But every time he preaches it feeds our souls! James is so convicting, so practical--right where we're at, right?
ReplyDeleteIf all our life were one broad glare
ReplyDeleteOf sunlight, clear, unclouded,
If all our paths were smooth and fair,
By no soft gloom enshrouded,
If all life's flowers were fully-blown
Without the sweets unfolding,
And happiness were rudely thrown
On hands too weak for holding -
Should we not miss the twilight hours,
The gentle haze and sadness?
Should we not long for storms and showers
To break the constant gladness?
Author Unknown
Have a wonderful day, my friend - and thanks for sharing. I enjoyed our time together.
this is a challenge, and i am a slow learner.. but thank God He is patient with us, and He makes it all ok- mistakes and all. the trials are not the point, are they?
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