Dear friends,
I’ve been thinking about you, wondering how you are doing as this pandemic and all the trials related to it continue on. It has been several weeks now and we don’t know how much longer we will be in quarantine.
It is an Easter like no other!
Are you feeling weary, discouraged, tempted to fear?
I can relate! I feel all those things. But I have found something that causes me to be able to resist those temptations to become discouraged and fearful.
I have confidence that we can turn our trials into treasure!
Here’s where that confidence comes from:
“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 in anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:2-5 NIV
I have experienced what this verse of Scripture says. In all my trials I have found that if I reach out to God and stay connected to Him in the midst of suffering, He will forge his character in me. I can grow and change by His grace in the midst of these pressures and troubles.
Do you want love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, humility, self-control, faith, kindness, courage, perseverance, wisdom, maturity? The list goes on and on, the treasures that you can gain in the midst of trials!
When an athlete runs in a race, lots of preparation must take place for the runner to finish well. Muscles are strengthened by resistance to pressure, by being worked out over and over again.
In the same way the muscles of our heart, mind and soul will be strengthened as we submit them to the work out trials provide! Pressure and resistance is the only way that happens.
We can find joy in the midst of it all in our relationship with God who loves us so, and in relationships with the people He puts in our lives. We can find encouragement in the fact that we will have a reward, a treasure waiting for us if we stay the course.
I want to encourage you to stay the course today, to go to God in prayer and in His word, and to stay connected with the people you love in this time. There is treasure being produced in you as you press on!
Here is a video I made that I hope will encourage your heart today.
Many blessings to you this Easter!
Love, Terri
