...I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert Isa. 43:19
The bible says to"consider it all JOY, my brethren, when you encounter various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:1-4.
I don't know about anyone else but this verse has always been confusing to me. How are you supposed to have joy or be joyous when you are going through trials? What is it about a trial that brings joy? Saddness, anger, disappointment, and depression I could understand but joy...how?
Trials are tough and they can shake you to your very core. They can leave you feeling broken and desolate. They can cause you to question God and if you're not careful they can even cause you to give up and turn away from God. Although trials are tough, God uses them for a purpose which will eventually produce fruit if you go through the process. When you're in the midst of the desert surrounded by things that dry, barren, and dead it can seem almost impossible to see how fruit can be produced. Naturally, fruit requires life and water. Only God can produce life from death. The key to going through a trial is to trust God. Trust that God knows what He is doing. Trust that God is going to bring good out of the situation in due time. Trust that God has good plans for you as stated in Jeremiah 29:11. Trust that even in the midst of trials God is present and He's there every step of the way.
Over the past several months, I have personally encountered various trials. It seems as though every aspect of my life has or is being tried and tested. But God has kept me through it all. Even when I feel like giving up, God gives me the strength to press through. He has been there every step of the way keeping me, teaching me and changing me. Strengthening my faith and dependence on Him and teaching me patience. I give all praise to God because I know that HE is the only reason I have made it this far. He keeps me in my mind and is teaching me how to keep focused on Him and His Power and not on everything that's going on around me. I have learned the meaning of counting things all joy because in the midst of these trials I can say that I still have my peace, I have my joy, and I have my faith which tells me that God IS working everything out for my good. His hand is on every situation and He has a divine purpose for them all. I can count it all joy because GOD is my river in the desert and He is working to make me perfect and complete; lacking in nothing.
With Gallons of Love,
J.G.
