Faith and Endurance

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:2-8

Andy and I have been discussing faith lately- as well as endurance. I love these first few verse of James- they are such an encouragement, and give me great hope for what's to come. Verse 2 comes right out and says that our trials and troubles are reason for joy! And how right that is. For it is only when we are truly tested that we learn our reliance on God. God allows us to go through the trials so that we can deepen our reliance on HIM. And once we are through the trial, we are much better because of it. Verse 4 says that we will be so strong in character that we will be ready for anything. Anything! Wow- how cool is that.

Then there's verse 5. If you need direction- ask. And he will gladly tell you. He will gladly tell you. And then I personally love the next part- don't ask him unless you expect an answer. People who are doubtful of God's reply, and God's answer should not ask him at all.

Oh we are so not doubtful. We know that God has great things in store for us, and we know that we will go wherever he tells us to go, and do whatever he wants us to do. We are coming out of the murk and the trouble, and at this precise moment, we are standing near an edge. It's almost time for us to make a leap- we just don't know yet what that leap is or where it's going to lead. It may lead to our backyard- it may lead to a whole new backyard. Either way, it will be exactly where God wants us to be and we have absolutely NO DOUBT that it will be God's Will for us.

We have endured our trials and our troubles, and we are in a wonderful place- and we are full of joy. Trouble is cause for joy. It helps us to reflect on what is truly important. Our children are important. Our marriage is important. Our love for God is important. And not a whole lot else. Stuff is stuff. While it may be convenient, and it may be nice to have the comforts in life- it isn't necessary. May he show us the fullness of his glory and lead us to where he wants us to be.