“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” (James 1:2-4 NLT).
No one looks forward to troubles. We aren’t going to wake up and ask ourselves, “What kind of troubles are heading my way today?” No, we don’t really go looking for them, yet they always have a way of finding us.
Life has a way of getting in our way and disrupting our plans doesn’t it? Personally, I like things moving at an even keel, but I have also learned to go with the flow. Even when that flow includes pop quizzes, surprise road blocks, and crashing waves. My family has been through our share of troubles and testing. I can assure you that Papa was with us every moment and we have grown immensly.
I know how difficult it is to be joyful in the midst of very emotionally devastating and physically draining circumstances. I know how hard it is to get up each day and keep going. I know the numbness that often replaces disbelief, doubt, exhaustion from some very trying situations. Now, my troubles may differ greatly from yours, but every trouble and test contains the opportunity to draw closer to Papa. We do grow in our tests.
Endurance is necessary for our Christian walk. Endurance is what carries us when we don’t think we can press on. Endurance gives us that extra push to lean in closer to Papa and draw from His strength. Endurance tells us it is okay, we can do it, we will get through this and we will be all right. Our trust in Papa builds our endurance. He is always faithful and He can be trusted to do what He says He will do.
No matter what troubles come your way, keep your chin up, look up and fill your cup of endurance. There will be days you won’t remember how you got through or what you did, they will be moments you think you can’t go on, there will be times you just want to sit and breathe. These are the moments that build your endurance and trust. And one day you’ll look back and realize Papa was with you and didn’t let you down.
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