For the sheer joy of it

We get many gifts in life. Do I see tests and challenges as one of them? That is how I should see them. Challenges come at us from all sides. When they do, they are great gifts. They develop my faith life and give me supernatural courage as I see Him establish His peace. I should treasure tests as I would a prized possession.

More importantly, they mature me and help me grow in His ways. Our life in Him is not to be static. It is a life of growth and development. The develop me so that I don’t lack anything in my character. I should be joyful in my trials.

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

May I be joyful in the challenges that come my way.

God's work in me

It is a gift of God. Challenges come from many directions. But it is the very pressure of the test that forces my faith into the open. No hiding from the challenges for sure. So I shouldn’t try to get out of anything prematurely. I  should wait and make sure God’s work has been completed in me. That helps me be well developed with no deficiencies at all.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4