My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials? You mean that I should be joyful whenever things that flat out stink happen?
I understand that at the end of the day all of the problems I have will be helpful in my development of patience. But my goodness I have a long way to go. I get so angry sometimes over the little inconveniences of life. I recognize that my behavior over the little things is stupid.
But what about the hard things? These apostles were no stranger to hardships, yet they "say count it all joy." I've had to do things lately that are just a fraction of what they had to do.
I can't tell you everything that has gone on in my life recently, but I can tell you it has been frustrating. From my car costing me waaaay more than I want to pay to having to decide what really matters in life. I have been living in the one step forward five million steps backward land.
For instance, this entire month I've had to spend all of my paychecks PLUS some money I've had in savings on my car. I get stuck in a stupid cycle that goes something like this: Why am I working? Oh that's right, so that I can put fuel in my car, repair it, buy clothes, eat food, etc. Why do I do all of that? So that I can go to work...
Are you getting a small picture of my frustration?
But I have some big changes coming. I can't tell you about them right now, but I promise I will soon. And there's also the hope that comes from Christ. Nothing we do on this earth is futile if we do it for Christ. I just need to remember that.
I understand that at the end of the day all of the problems I have will be helpful in my development of patience. But my goodness I have a long way to go. I get so angry sometimes over the little inconveniences of life. I recognize that my behavior over the little things is stupid.
But what about the hard things? These apostles were no stranger to hardships, yet they "say count it all joy." I've had to do things lately that are just a fraction of what they had to do.
I can't tell you everything that has gone on in my life recently, but I can tell you it has been frustrating. From my car costing me waaaay more than I want to pay to having to decide what really matters in life. I have been living in the one step forward five million steps backward land.
For instance, this entire month I've had to spend all of my paychecks PLUS some money I've had in savings on my car. I get stuck in a stupid cycle that goes something like this: Why am I working? Oh that's right, so that I can put fuel in my car, repair it, buy clothes, eat food, etc. Why do I do all of that? So that I can go to work...
Are you getting a small picture of my frustration?
But I have some big changes coming. I can't tell you about them right now, but I promise I will soon. And there's also the hope that comes from Christ. Nothing we do on this earth is futile if we do it for Christ. I just need to remember that.
