Meditate on
this familiar Scripture:
And
why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they
grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was
not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for
wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will
certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don't worry about
these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we
wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly
Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,
and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry
about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is
enough for today. Matthew
6:28-34 (underlined for emphasis)
I recently
experienced weird episode of possibly vertigo where I was so dizzy that the
room was spinning. Very weird sensation. Although it was not life threatening
it made me think about what is really important—and that is putting Christ
first in my life, trusting Him and not worrying about anything. Life is in His
timing…not mine. I felt like this was a testing of my faith. I was curled up on
my couch—just thinking and waiting and hoping that the nausea wouldn’t get any
worse. What was important? Where did this dizziness come from? I considered
that it might have been food poisoning—but my husband had eaten the same foods
and he was just fine.
Dear
brothers and sisters, when troubles 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
WHEN your faith is
tested your endurance has a chance to grow. Not
IF your faith is tested...but WHEN.
So be prepared. Your faith WILL be challenged or tested. It is like endurance
is a seed planted in the ground...cared for by watering it...and providing
food. Endurance if given a chance WILL grow to maturity. That's about the time
we die...having become perfect and complete. Jesus was the only
"perfect" individual. We can only attain His perfection when we go to
live with Him forever in Heaven. I look forward to that day. For the time being...endure.
Therefore,
having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this
grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only
this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings
about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character,
hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out
within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5 NASB
Rejoice and be
thankful...with great joy...because your endurance is growing. God has found
you worthy of His attention. This is the time of the year when most people
focus on being thankful, but Scripture to tell us:
Be
thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to
Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Can you do that? I am trying…even when the room is spinning around me.
Prayer ~ Lord Jesus,
Give us grace that we would express joy when we have trials, be continually thankful,
and put You above everything in our lives.
Daily Bible Reading:
Acts 15-16
Only 32 Days Until Christmas
© 2019 Text and
painting by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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