Hello dear LR friends! I'm so excited to return after a monthlong hiatus from blogging. I've missed LR and all of you but have been keeping up with Rachel and Betsy's awesome posts. I'm happy to be back and will be posting more regularly again (I hope)!
Today I want to talk about being tested. I opened my Bible up this morning to the book of James and read this kicker:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (James 1:2)
"Pure joy??" I laughed out loud. Yep, laughed straight at the Holy Bible itself. Pure joy --- Really?!
How many of you consider it pure joy when you're searching for a job for months with no end in sight? Are you filled with joy when you get a flat tire that turns into a week-long stay for your car at Firestone? How about when you (or your children) keep making the same mistakes over and over again and just can't seem to get it right?
If I'm honest with myself, I often let my joy be contigent upon my mood. I don't expect to be happy all the time--- I'm human, after all. But too often, I can't seem to separate my happiness or unhappiness from the joy that I have received from Christ. I let minor, everyday "trials" get me down, instead of resting on the promises of our Lord.
Take, for example, my mood right now. I recently moved back to D.C. and cannot (for the life of me) find an apartment. I'm inconveniencing my sister by sleeping on her couch and being in her way 24/7, I'm running all over town looking at places and applying for apartments only to be told "No" time and time again. I'm being tested- I just know it. I also know that our Father has the perfect place for my roommates and me, but that knowing hasn't exactly translated into feeling just yet. Perhaps this testing is meant to steadily develop my perseverance, but all I'm letting it do right now is steadily develop my annoyance.
Thankfully, today is a new day, and I choose to be joyful in this time of uncertainty. Today I know that I am alive in Christ and my Father loves me, regardless of what may happen. I will not let the trials of this life steal my joy, but I will persevere, knowing full well that God's best for me is still to come.
I encourage you all today - whether you're facing a big move, beginning a new job, walking into a fresh new season of life, diving into your second (!) year of medical school - to consider those bumps in the road as part of your journey. Trust in the Lord alone for your joy, and do not be dismayed by the trials you may face. Do not let trials become joy-stealers, but remember that the Lord is with you, now and always, and His love endures forever.
I encourage you all today - whether you're facing a big move, beginning a new job, walking into a fresh new season of life, diving into your second (!) year of medical school - to consider those bumps in the road as part of your journey. Trust in the Lord alone for your joy, and do not be dismayed by the trials you may face. Do not let trials become joy-stealers, but remember that the Lord is with you, now and always, and His love endures forever.
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
- Nehemiah 8:10
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
-Psalm 16: 8-11
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