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"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Can you say yeah right God? HA! He is asking me to REJOICE in the SUCKY times. How easy it is for us to get into the rut of justifying our bad moods with, "I just cant believe this happened to me. I deserve the right to mope around in self-pity and anger and bitterness." Honestly, that was me last semester, especially towards the end. If you saw me I was a rollercoaster--up, down, happy, sad, the typical "i'm stressed out, don't mess with me" attitude....OH How I was missing out on what He had for me! Shouldn't we welcome our struggles with open arms because of all the amazing things He will teach us through them and also for the amazing testimony we will have of Him when it is all said and done.....So many times we crumble at the first thing that goes wrong---where is our dependence on God??!! It says right there He will not dissappoint us....but no, we are silly. silly. silly.
I cannot say that my life is a 180 from last semester, but I can say that my eyes are not blinded but instead wide open and staring at his alumination. And you would not believe the divine appointments He has been bringing....I have a good quote from a book:
"I've found a common element in every individual who grows bitter, misses fulfillment, becomes sour, complains about God, falls into self-pity, or wonders 'why nothing ever happens to me.' That common denominator is a lost sense of ministry....of serving, loving, helping, and reaching out to men, women, and children in the Savior's name."
Let us get out into the harvest...with hope and perserverance and JOY!
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Can you say yeah right God? HA! He is asking me to REJOICE in the SUCKY times. How easy it is for us to get into the rut of justifying our bad moods with, "I just cant believe this happened to me. I deserve the right to mope around in self-pity and anger and bitterness." Honestly, that was me last semester, especially towards the end. If you saw me I was a rollercoaster--up, down, happy, sad, the typical "i'm stressed out, don't mess with me" attitude....OH How I was missing out on what He had for me! Shouldn't we welcome our struggles with open arms because of all the amazing things He will teach us through them and also for the amazing testimony we will have of Him when it is all said and done.....So many times we crumble at the first thing that goes wrong---where is our dependence on God??!! It says right there He will not dissappoint us....but no, we are silly. silly. silly.
I cannot say that my life is a 180 from last semester, but I can say that my eyes are not blinded but instead wide open and staring at his alumination. And you would not believe the divine appointments He has been bringing....I have a good quote from a book:
"I've found a common element in every individual who grows bitter, misses fulfillment, becomes sour, complains about God, falls into self-pity, or wonders 'why nothing ever happens to me.' That common denominator is a lost sense of ministry....of serving, loving, helping, and reaching out to men, women, and children in the Savior's name."
Let us get out into the harvest...with hope and perserverance and JOY!