EmmDev 2020-10-08 [Overcomers MoM2020] When we are blown and tossed

When we are blown and tossed

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.      (James1:2-8)

If you're like me verse 2 is not the easiest of advice to follow. I doubt there were many people that had a huge celebration when we were told that our 3 week Lockdown had now been extended to 5 weeks with a possibility of more still to come. This year has been a particularly trying one and there will be very few who would say they have not struggled at some point and even less who would be joyful about their difficult circumstances. As much as I would struggle to consider it pure joy at the time, in hindsight, I can often look back over the circumstances and find much that is good.

While nobody particularly likes going through difficult times, if we're honest with ourselves when we look back we are mostly able to find something positive that has come out of it, we find that we have grown, our relationships have been strengthened, our faith has been strengthened or as James puts it we have persevered. It's easy to look back and see the positives that have come out of difficult circumstances but it is not always easy at the time. That's why James tells us to pray for wisdom and to really believe that God will give it to us because that wisdom allows us to see things differently. One of the things that God has taught me about getting through tough times, is to keep a Gratitude Journal, to write down the things I am grateful for on a regular basis and then when things are really tough to pull it out and read it and add to it. It's amazing when you look back through it and see all the times that God has pulled you through and the things you were grateful for in the past. It helps you to be joyful even when times are tough because there is always something to be grateful for.

If you're really struggling pray to God that he will grant you wisdom and know with all your heart that he will grant it to you, then think about all the times that God has brought you through in the past and how he has not only strengthened your faith in these times but has allowed you to grow. Even if you're not up to celebrating with great joy just yet at least give God thanks for all that he has done for you.
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Kim Brown. Serving at Elgin United Church, Western Cape. Convenor of the UPCSA Worship Committee. Enjoys baking, reading and running.

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