Trials and Challenges

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” [James 1:2-4 Message]

How odd this scripture sounds to me at times. I know that when I go through something I don’t consider this a ‘gift’ or a ‘joy’ as the King James Version states… I typically go into this with my typical grumbling and complaining… I like my comfort zones…

Yet, our Heavenly Father is faithful and persistent. He knows what is good and right for our lives and He knows that our comfort zones are not always good. So, we must go through some things… our comfort is made uncomfortable and it’s in that condition of the mind or heart that we learn… and that God gets our attention.

He does all this out of love. Just as a mother or a father desires the best for their children so does God want the best for us. His best is far above what we settle for—his best develops character in our lives—creates in us a maturity—a maturity to serve and help others—and give them comfort in times of need.