Monday, July 23, 2012

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— James 1:2-8 —

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. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

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Today, you have already had, or will have, a problem. Few days in life are trouble-free. Most of our problems are minor irritants, but maybe you are going through a crisis just now. In any case, God is more concerned about building your character than solving your problems, though He can do both. Every trial is an unfolding lesson that draws us nearer to Him. Every failure teaches us faith. Every hurt nudges us toward holiness. Every disappointment becomes His appointment as He works all things for our advancement. Our struggles can be Christ's schoolroom where we learn the spiritual ABCs (Adversity Builds Character) that stand us in good stead for the future.