Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great JOY. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT
When is the last time you rejoiced when all hell broke loose in your life? Not the fake it 'til you make it, or puttin on a cheerful church face, but genuinely Rejoiced! Have you ever sobbed with a smile on your face? James tells us that WHEN trouble comes our way that we should consider it an opportunity for great joy! To me that seemed crazy...testing of our faith rarely feels comfortable and is often associated with great pain or loss, but yet it is supposed to be an opportunity for joy...Really James?! But then my faith was tested...it was target practice at Satan's firing range and I was the "Bullseye." The weight of the trials was so heavy that my mind could not comprehend what was happening. All I could do was fix my mind on Christ and smile, even laugh at times. It was then that I experienced supernatural endurance. At my weakest point, God grew my faith through my pain. I chose to fix my mind on His promises, His provision, His reality, and I received His Joy!
Make a decision to rejoice today, through the trials, through the pain...chose to fix your mind on Christ and receive His joy.
Full on Faith Declaration: "I AM HAPPY! I WILL REJOICE!!"
