Joy, March 27, 2008

Joy, March 27, 2008

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4, www.solascriptura.com

Father, it seems that the only way we could possibly feel joyful about experiencing trials, is to know that You permit the trial and that the trial will force our faith to be stronger.

Patience in the midst of a trial is the perfect work that You bestow upon us. It is the Spirit in us that permits our faith to remain strong even when the evidence all around us is making us feel persecuted, guilty or abandoned.

Help us to know, this minute and always, that trials will come but the trials will test and strengthen our faith and that we can, through You, endure and be patient. That is a miracle not available to someone who does not call on You.

We feel joyful Father, not about the trial but about Your grace to us that we might endure the test without falling apart. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell