How often have we blamed God for what goes wrong in our lives or felt that we were being tested? Sometimes things happen that make it seem as though the entire world and everyone in it hates us or has it out for us in some way, for some reason.
Well okay, that’s not likely but we’ve all been through days where we would have been better off if we’d stayed in bed with the covers over our heads, or maybe there’s more to consider.
“and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4)
Wait, what is that supposed to mean? How do we access endurance and why does it result in maturity? Faith. Without believing and having faith in God, there’s a feeling of emptiness and a lack of hope. When we hold onto hope, knowing God is our support, we can let go of the worry and pain because God has our backs. Relax and believe.
“But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word….” (Luke 8:15)
Faith is something that has to come from complete belief without doubting. Yes, we all have roadblocks and hardships that are necessary for us to learn the meaning of endurance. If God gives everything without the understanding of strength and fortitude, there is no way to learn gratitude.
Without being in need, we never understand thankfulness and appreciation. When our faith is strong and we see with the eyes of our hearts how blessed we are, the realization is overwhelming.
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it” (Psalms 24:1)
Everyone regrets something at one time or another whether its words that blurt out before our brains were able to tell us it was a really bad idea, or judging hastily because of anger before having a clue about truth. The truth can always be told and God wants us to learn how to live by truth, with enduring faith and prayer, and with the patience of hope.
Food For Thought
How does our faith lead to our endurance?
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your Word and for teaching us to have endurance of faith in our lives. Thank you for the beauty and miracles we experience with our senses, and forgive us when we forget to say thank you. We are ever grateful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.