SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..."
~James 1:2

Wow, that's a hard one! How do you feel joy in the midst of a painful trial? Not only that, but this verse says that "when" we go through trials, not "if" and... that we will face many kinds of trials. Thanks for the warning, but not very encouraging! Let's face it, trials are painful...

Most people are going through a trial, coming out of one or entering into one... Everyone has problems. No one is immune. Trials come in many shapes and forms. We have problems at work and problems at home. Some of us are struggling in our marriages; others are struggling at being single. There are those who are stressed out working long hours and having families to care for. Then there are those who have no family to go home to and long for one. Or, maybe you are a single mom who is trying to do a job designed for two. Or, you have teenagers who are really testing your faith. Then, there are the financial pressures, health issues and don't forget the emotional heart issues. Have you ever wondered why God allows Believers to go through situations and circumstances that are difficult and painful? The enemy uses them to distract us, but God uses them to perfect us and draw us closer to Him.

No matter who you are, or where you are in life, you will go through trials and tribulations. Yet, through it all God tells us to count it joy. The Greek word "joy" means calm delight. God does not expect us to have glee and excitement when we are being tested, but to calmly rest in Him, knowing that He is in control and will use the current trial to draw us closer. The calm delight comes from knowing that when you do not have the words to express, when the pain is too immense, when you are not able to articulate how you feel, God's heart of infinite love knows how to listen and respond in the midst of your storm. Draw closer to Him, and one day you will be able to look back and count it all joy and give thanks for your trials for the intimacy you gained with your Father is priceless!

Prayer:
Father, sometimes it is so hard to look past the painful situation and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you that through it all, you are patiently waiting for me to draw closer to you, to rest with calm delight in who you are. Thank you for using trials and tribulations in my life to remind me of my need for you.

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SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL