~~James1:2-3~~
Count it all joy. Wow!! Can anyone really do that? Can we honestly look at the most diffficult, most painful things in our lives and count it all joy?
We may not be able to right away, but as we trust God in our circumstances, He enables us to go a little further, then a little further, and so on. Sometimes we are not delivered out of our painful circumstances, but God shows us He is in it with us, giving us what we need to go on. Other times we get past the worst of the pain and difficulty, and can see how He pulled us through.
It is through these trials that we really learn to trust God, and begin to bear the spiritual fruit of patience; waiting and trusting may not be easy, but it is so worth it!! Over time, we find it easier to trust God in our trials, and become more spiritually mature.
God says if we allow patience it's perfect work there will be a blessing...
we will be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Nothing that we need, that is. We will be equipped by God to deal with whatever lies ahead, and He will meet all of our needs!
The JOY of it all is that through our trials, more than at any other time, we draw into closer fellowship with God, and plump, juicy, mature fruit characterizes our lives.
I want that kind of fruit, don't you??
May your week be a sunshiney one!!
Blessings,
Becky
Posts
I try hard to be joyful in all things because I could so easily go the other way so I must guard my heart and really work on it. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteRoberta Anne
Dearest Becky, isn't it said that He never gives you anything He doesn't believe you can't deal with. Your post today is a most beautiful reminder of that. Trusting that He is behind us, guiding us and looking after us during the tough times is not always easy, but you are right - with patience and perseverance - and Faith - we can accomplish all things for Him.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings coming to you from a very wet County Armagh this evening!
Fiona x
I love what Eugene Peterson says in his book, "A Long Obedience In The Same Direction"..."A common but futile strategy for achieving joy is trying to eliminate things that hurt: get rid of pain by numbing the nerve ends, get rid of insecurity by eliminating risks, get rid of disappointment by depersonalizing your relationships. And then try to lighten the boredom of such a life by buying joy in the form of vacations and entertainment. There isn't a hint of that in Psalm 126
ReplyDeleteThanks Becky...this was beautiful and insightful post!
Blessings, Lilly
Becky,
ReplyDeleteThis is such an encouraging word,I can't tell you how many times I have had to go and read this scripture and cling to it. I love the book of James, when i get through visiting everyone tonight I am going to come back and reread and meditate again on this timely word.
I have added your prayer request on my prayer list and have been talking to God about It. I have a request for you to pray about also; my daughter ,Susan has just had a miscarriage, and she is not taking it so well emotionally. It is so very hard when you can't be there with them.
But this I know ...God loves our children even more than we do...And who better to take care of them???
Thank you for all of your encouraging words,again I am so glad that God has caused our paths to cross!!!
Blessings, Sue
Becky ,
ReplyDeleteIts me again, I just have to tell you this. Remember the problem I was having with my blog title not showing up, I fixed it!!! Not having a lot of experience with computers I was so proud of myself !!! It took me a week, but I got it fixed. LOL!!!
Blessings,
Sue
What a lovely way to share your Joy with us today! We all need that to get us through some days. Hope your day was a good one!!!
ReplyDeleteI must be in a growth spurt. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post and so true. It applies to so many right now. Thank you for reminding of what I already know. Putting it to life is the challenge.
~Liz
p.s. I boxed up your prize to mail today, but left your address at home... :( I will do my best to get it in the mail tomorrow.
Beautiful, joyful thoughts ---- and they --- mixed with lots of sunshine ---- have made my day! Thank you, Becky!
ReplyDeleteLove
LaTeaDah
Becky, I tried to post a minute ago and it disappeared, so if I post twice - my bad! Patience is something I have to address daily. It is not my best feature. I love these verses and I'm glad you shared these particular ones today. You are a blessing to me. Thanks for always being so encouraging and leaving comments on my blog. I appreciate you very much. Have a great week and God bless! Alice
ReplyDeleteThis was so very beautiful! Thank you for all your kind words, I have not been on the computer for several days, Doubts about my last post, started to go back and delete it. Thank you for calling me Hospitality Queen! That was so lovely, I was suppose to be on life time, years ago, nothing to do with my illness. I got voted as Mississppi's Southern Belle! I never got to see the show, for Hubby and I took a job traveling. You asked for me to come to your blog, not sure why. But I did enjoy this lovely post.
ReplyDeleteoh this is so good Becky and something I need to hear and be encouraged in, right now..thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteDeby
What a wonderful post and I couldn't of said it better myself. It is through the difficult times in my life, my faith grew the strongest and I am glad I went through those things and that I knew the Lord. I don't know what I would of done with out the Lord. Have a blessed day sweet sister. Love, Elena
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful and encouraging post! Yes, that's just the kind of fruit I want!!
ReplyDelete(My first comment disappeared, too, so I'll try again. Hope you don't get two from me!!)
Hi! I just found your blog through Thrifty Decor Chick's Organizing party. I was having a really bad day this post really stuck out to me and was just what I needed. Thank you so much for your joyful wisdom. I know God is so aware of each of our needs. Thank you for living in a way that you can be an answer to prayers! I know He makes everything work out for our good. Thank you for helping me remember :D
ReplyDeleteI'll be by your blog whenever I need a boost.
Thanks again!
Calise Sellers