Today's reading

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 1:2-4 NIV

day 

155

Falling into Place

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 1:2-4 NIV

When it feels like life is falling apart, perhaps it’s actually just falling into place. Our perspectives are often colored by circumstances that seem insurmountable; but in reality, they’re minuscule in the eyes of the Father. Perhaps, the very things that we think will destroy us are the very things needed to perfect us. All discipline seems painful for the moment; no one enjoys pain. Every trial of faith that we go through feels like it will never end, but it will eventually. Sometimes you have to endure the pain to appreciate the healing that comes after the trial. Growth is often quite painful. Most experienced growing pains as children. But when the growth has been achieved, the outcome is always worth the pain.Life often hands us painful experiences, and we go through trials that feel like they’re crushing us. We can either hold on to that pain, and let it control our entire lives; or we can let it go. When we choose to let go of what was, we make room for what will be to come. There’s a new day dawning, and it doesn’t have to have yesterday’s rain clouds in it. Trials? Consider them all joy.

prayer focuses

Growth hurts, discipline is hard, and trials are hated.

Lord, since I’ll have to face them at some point, please give me Your strength to conquer them. Father, please give me a clear perspective about my trials. I want to praise You and live a victorious life.

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about the

Author

Brenda Beattie

Brenda Beattie is a retired letter carrier and an active Chaplain for the USPS. She and her husband retired to Bradenton because they loved their church, Bayside Community Church. She has self-published two books, "Finding Sacred Ground In The Daily Grind," and "The Case Of The Missing Letter." She is also a repeat author for "Chicken Soup For The Soul." Her articles appear monthly in the "Mountaineer," a postal publication. Her hearts desire is to encourage and to give hope.