Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you all know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3
THINK
Pain is a reality. Difficulty is a certainty. Struggle is inevitable. No one can avoid the fact that life is full of these. While we are on earth, we all face them. However, our perspective of these trials and our reaction to them are fully up to us. We can allow difficulty to imprison us, or we can discover ways it can improve us!
In this opening passage of James, we learn that “trials of various kinds” can actually help us grow in our faith. While God does not cause our pain, He does want to use it to help us experience life on a new level. When you face trouble, open your eyes to see it from God’s perspective. And rather than freezing up, use the situation to propel you to a new height of faith and steadfastness.
PRAY
Whenever you face trials, turn to God and ask Him to help your faith grow through them. Then ask for the strength to use those trials to help those around you make it through theirs.
ACT
Overcoming pain is not an easy process, but it can be done.
