This past week the Lord has so wonderfully thrown a massive curve ball of an academic trial in my life. I rather not go into details because it is a long story but needless to say I found my self in tears for two days due to injustice.
At the end of the first day, the Lord reminded me of the verse James 1:2-4
These past few days, I have not experienced joy but instead devastation. I felt as if the world was out to get me, but that is looking at my situation from a worldly mindset and not a heavenly mindset. If I believe God loves me then I must trust him in his sovereignty. I must trust that his ways are better for me. I need to stop looking at my situation without faith and thinking that it is hopeless but know that God will never leave me nor forsake me.
Jesus ALWAYS provides for me! He has taken me out of some impossible situations and has provided so much favor on my life. Seriously, my life is a testimony of the power of Jesus.
Thus, reflecting and remembering his goodness is how the Lord provided peace to me.
Also, in the past four days, the Lord has reaffirmed me through songs, bible verses, messages, facebook status, blogs, and quotes that he is going to get me through this trial. I am simple blown away at how the Lord has truly given me peace and reassurance through all the different avenues of my life.
Even just as I was driving back in town with my friend, I told her I was still stuck on the beginning of James 1:2-4. Like how can I truly have joy in the midst of trials. Later this evening, I was reading an African blog I follow and BAM the answer:
At the end of the first day, the Lord reminded me of the verse James 1:2-4
"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." -James 1: 2-4Originally, I was annoyed that the Lord put another trial in my life. I felt like I just couldn't get a break. But then the Holy Spirit brought attention to those verses. Trials come into your life because it produces spiritual maturity. Also, James starts out the verse by saying consider it JOY when many trials come to you.
These past few days, I have not experienced joy but instead devastation. I felt as if the world was out to get me, but that is looking at my situation from a worldly mindset and not a heavenly mindset. If I believe God loves me then I must trust him in his sovereignty. I must trust that his ways are better for me. I need to stop looking at my situation without faith and thinking that it is hopeless but know that God will never leave me nor forsake me.
I basically need to grow up!
Jesus ALWAYS provides for me! He has taken me out of some impossible situations and has provided so much favor on my life. Seriously, my life is a testimony of the power of Jesus.
Thus, reflecting and remembering his goodness is how the Lord provided peace to me.
Also, in the past four days, the Lord has reaffirmed me through songs, bible verses, messages, facebook status, blogs, and quotes that he is going to get me through this trial. I am simple blown away at how the Lord has truly given me peace and reassurance through all the different avenues of my life.
Even just as I was driving back in town with my friend, I told her I was still stuck on the beginning of James 1:2-4. Like how can I truly have joy in the midst of trials. Later this evening, I was reading an African blog I follow and BAM the answer:
There’s so much more to joy than just feeling at peace, or feeling happy even when things are sucky.
Joy is state of celebration, a celebration of what God has done.
So when I say, “Choose joy”, that literally means “choose to celebrate what God has done” instead of being sucked under by circumstances. And what has God done? Well, God has given us a gift of salvation through Jesus. God has given us a promise of an abundant life here on earth and an eternal life to come. God has given us the ultimate expression of love by leaving his son, Jesus, to be tortured and killed just so we can have the right to fellowship with him again.
That’s what God has done. That’s what I’m celebrating today. My car’s impounded. My cash flow is stagnate. I’m thousands of dollars in debt and my eye sight is crappy.
And yet.
But still.
Choose joy.
-Afrolicious
I started to tear up after reading this blog post. Because Jesus really does loves me and he is going to get me through this trial. Plus, I didn't even know this blogger loved Jesus! It's truly amazing how God literally meets his children where they are at!
With Love,
Faith
Mmm great reminder, joy is really found through Jesus' finished work on the cross. Psalm 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."