Count It All Joy! (James 1:2)
My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won't need anything! (James 1:2-4 GWT) James 1:1-13 not only teach us that the testing of our faith produces endurance and endurance produces abundance, but it also teaches—when life is hard, it’s for a purpose. Tests are events that demonstrate the genuineness of our faith in Christ and improve the quality of our spiritual life. Test and difficult times in the life of a Christian also are opportunities for God to reveal Himself as Jehovah Jireh, our provider, Jehovah Rapha, our healer, Jehovah Shamma, the LORD with us, Jehovah Gibbor, the LORD mighty in battle! I encourage you to be joyful no matter what you’re facing, be not weary in well doing; you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up—God promises to give you everything you could ever need and more! (Galati