Count It All Joy

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 anything. James 1:2-4

These past 6 months have been such a trying time but what I am learning as I sit back and reflect is that it takes true spiritual maturity and growth to count it all joy the trials that you face. Having those that I’ve invested time and energy in lie to me and deceive me for months without realizing it at the time, facing financial hardships, doors of opportunity closing, things that I’ve have prayed for and believed God in not coming to pass, struggling with depression, engaging in things that compromised my purity walk just to satisfy the flesh..the list goes on. It has been alot since the start of this year and I could have sulked and beaten myself up over my own mistakes and my lack of trust in God, but I didn’t. That’s what the enemy wants. For people like you and I to be hard on ourselves, to walk around in unforgiveness, with bitterness and anger oozing out of us. It’s not worth it. Just as God loves us, we also have to learn to love ourselves. A huge part of healing is being kind and patient towards ourselves.

Everything that you go through in this lifetime is not to take you out but to teach you a lesson. One that I don’t think could have been taught any other way. The lessons reveal to us our true character as well as the strength that we possess through Christ Jesus. We are not weak. We are more than (Romans 8:37). It also reveals to us areas that we should value and areas that need work on. The lesson purges us, strips away any ounce of pride, and renews us.

We may not always understand everything that we go through, and that is simply because God’s ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). His ways are much higher than ours. Scripture tells us that, “Eyes have not seen, nor ears have heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him, “ (1 Corinthians 2:9). God has so much in store for us, more than we could ever think of or imagine. And that is why it is important to not allow any trial that you face to take you out. Ask God as you go through the storm not to take you out of it but to show you the “why” and the “what”. “Why am I going through this Lord?” “What are you trying to teach me?” “What important lesson do you need me to learn from this?” Pray for God’s strength to make it through because in your weakness, His strength is made oh so perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It’s through the hardships that:

• God reveals Himself to you like never before.
• You learn to draw closer to Him.
• You understand who He is.
• You gain a greater sense of identity.
• You gain so much wisdom, knowledge, and understanding [of your situation].
• The greatest revelations take place.
• You learn your worth and just how valuable and precious you truly are.
• You acknowledge that you are an imperfect being serving a perfect God.
• You learn to let go and finally forgive.
• You heal and experience everlasting freedom.
• Miracles and blessings happen.
• You realize not everyone deserves a seat at your table.
• Generational curses break.
• You learn to surrender to the move of God, and allow Him to have His way in your life.
• Confusion stops. Confirmation takes place.
• A peace of mind engulfs you.
• Old habits are revealed.
• You activate the authority that you have deep within you over all power of the enemy.
• Unhealthy patterns and thoughts come to light.
• Strongholds are destroyed.
• The Word of God becomes your daily bread.

So therefore, do not despise the storm. Keep your eyes steady on God as you go through. Don’t run through it. Walk. Take in all that you need to learn this time around so that you won’t have to repeat the same storm. God is with you and He will never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6). That’s a promise!

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