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
“I feel like I’m hanging off the edge of a cliff caught only by the tips of my fingernails,” I sobbed to my husband.
Heartache, sorrow, anger and defeat weigh me down threatening to weaken my grasp.
For years I’d prayed for peace only to be met with the explosion of more anger and pain. A dream I thought was finally coming true was dashed, leaving me spinning my wheels yet again. While a loved one was losing his battle with cancer another was just beginning hers.
Blow after blow came in the form of financial struggles, relationship losses, broken promises and dreams. I struggled to hold on, but this crisis of faith threatened to steal my joy leaving me lifeless and broken.
As tears drenched my pillow I begged God to give me the strength to hold on. Oh so tenderly he whispered our focus verse to my soul.
Many times I’ve read this passage and thought, “well of course I should consider trials an opportunity for joy because God is making me stronger in those trials”. But to be honest with you, at that very moment there was no hint of joy – only pain and tears.
As I attempted to push the verse out of my mind the Lord reminded me of all the times he’d faithfully sustained me through adversity. I remembered the night I felt the warmth of his presence around me when faced with the death of my husband’s parents. I remembered the peace he gave me in the face of an uncertain diagnosis for my daughter. And I remembered the strength he gave me to fight for my family when it threatened to fall apart.
Most importantly I realized how much stronger I am now because of those trials and battles. Slowly, joy began to fill my heart again.
Friends, if you’re struggling through what feels like a never-ending battle, will you join me in finding joy in the trials you encounter? Will you hold on to your faith in God allowing him to give you the endurance you need to persevere?
Sometime today sit alone with God and honestly share the hurt with him. It’s in that moment of vulnerability that you open the lines of communication. Ask him to remind you of the ways he’s carried you through adversity. As he brings those times to mind write them down and thank Him for giving you the endurance to persevere through the hard days. Then ask him to give you the strength and endurance to fight your current battle.
Am I on the other side of the heartache and pain I talked about earlier?
Unfortunately I’m not. But, I’m no longer holding on by the tips of my fingernails.
I’m meeting this season of adversity head on and considering it an opportunity for joy as God gives me the endurance to persevere in order to mature me into the woman he has called me to be.
How about you? Have you reclaimed your joy?
