"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
If we are suppossed to consider it pure joy when we face trials, then I should be doing cartwheels, flips, and singing songs. I certainly have not been doing so. These last few weeks as I have been preparing to leave, the enemy has thrown any and every dart he could find at me. I can honestly say I have been attacked spiritually, emotionaly, and even physically. I won't go into details, but these last few weeks have been difficult. Although I am excited to leave and am definetly looking forward to this new season, with everything that has been going on, I felt as though I had lost some of my joy. I mentioned this to someone yesterday, and their response was, "well be encouraged because when the enemy attacks that hard, its for a reason". That slightly encouraged me.
But then this morning the Lord reminded me of these verses....consider it pure joy.....the very thing I felt I was losing. The Lord reminded me that all that is happening, truly is something to be joyful about. The verse says that through the testing of my faith I will gain perseverance, become mature, and eventually lack nothing. When I consider those things, as difficult as these past few weeks have been, I can joyfully praise the Lord. I say that I can joyfully praise Him, because joy is not a feeling. The scripture says to consider it pure joy, not to feel joy.I may not feel it all the time, but the joy comes in resting in God, and knowing that He is sovereign and in control of all things. When I focus on that, and not the trials, I can experience true joy.
"Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning!"
Psalm 30:5
Pa Lante y Pal Cielo!
Cece
