When troubles and trials come your way, how do you handle them? Do you blame God? Do you react to them instead of responding? James 1:2-4 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Have you ever considered a time of trail to be joyous? God's Word instructs us to consider trials with joy. The reason we should consider trials to be joyous is because they test our faith. How do you respond to a test of your faith? Do you allow God to grow you through the midst of it? James went on to tell us that the testing produces steadfastness. When steadfastness has had its full effect then we will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. That is hard to believe. Steadfastness or patience will make us a full grown Christian. We will never grow without making it patiently through the trials we face. Part of that is growing is time in prayer, reading God's Word, and fully trusting Him in the middle of the trial. J. Vernon McGee says there are more babies in the sanctuary on Sunday than there are in the nursery. He says too many Christians are not growing. I heard an old pastor say one time, "If you are not facing a trial or trouble in your life, you better check your relationship with the Lord. Cause if the devil is not attacking you, you must not be accomplishing much for the Kingdom of God." We face trials to grow us. We must depend on God and trust Him to lead us through. God wants us to see that we cannot do this on our own. When faced with a trial, stop and go to the source of strength, the wisdom to get through, and the only help you need: God! Stop trying to overcome on your own. God wants to grow you, but you must let Him be the Lord of your life and all the situations you encounter.

In Christ,

Bro. Brad

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