Life isn’t all great times. I wish being a Christian meant all things worked out for me every time and all the things I wanted, I got. It doesn’t work like that, though. Life with Jesus has it’s ups, downs, and surprises.
My favorite verse of the Bible is James 1:2-4:
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
Paradoxical? Yes. But that is a major theme in the Kingdom. Things aren’t as they seem.
So, when you a friendship ends, you face rejection from a position you want, you have money problems, the person you thought was “the one” walks out, or your family is acting crazier than usual – don’t get discouraged or depressed. This is quite possibly a test of your faith. You are being set up to grow.
Like a plant being pruned, we must allow God to set us up to bloom. That may be painful, but it will be worth it in the end. Let your endurance grow so you can finish this race.
Be blessed, my friends. God has a plan & a purpose for you!
Definition of endurance: the ability to do something difficult for a long time
Boldly Radiant 