James 1:2-3 "Consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

He says when you’ve got a problem, relax. In fact, he says, rejoice. Take it easy. Thank God. Praise God. Why? Because I know that God is with me. God has a plan for me. He has a purpose for my life and He’s going to help me through it. God’s purpose is greater than the pain or the problem or the difficulty I’m going through right now.

The lesson is: If I want to learn to live by faith I must learn to rejoice continually. James says "Consider it all joy when you go through problems." Notice he doesn’t say be thankful for the problems. God doesn’t expect you to thank Him for bad things in your life. Like if you get cancer you don’t say "Thank You God, for this cancer." Of course not. It says, be thankful in the problem. I must learn to rejoice in the situation continually if I’m going to learn to live by faith.

Lord Jesus, this is Dennis. Thank You for the things you have taught me through difficulties that have come my way. My faith is stronger because of them. I love You.

 

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