Our Hope

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you

experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith

produces endurance.

But endurance must do its complete work,

so that you may be mature and complete,

lacking nothing.

~James 1:2-3

This verse is one of those that you see ALL THE TIME and pretty much everywhere. Sadly, because of that, it's one of those verses like, John 3:16 and others, where you usually either recite it or read over it quickly without taking note of the fullness and depth of the verse. I am sooooooo guilty of this. So guilty.

David and I picked up our Bibles the other night and decided we were going to study the book of James verse by verse. I had completely forgotten about the verses above until we opened up the Word and read it that night. (See what I mean, it's a verse I know but I easily forget about.)

We had to have read these two verses 10 times - at the least. Can I just tell you, when you're actually going though trials that are bigger than you, it's so comforting to know that it's not in vain. You are being, in those very moments, conformed to the image of Christ. He is making you more like Him.

I told somebody this past week that it takes a lot of pressure for coal to become a diamond. A diamond is such an earthly thing. It's a created thing. Imagine how much pressure we must endure to become like Christ!! PERFECT & HOLY!

Easy? No. Worth it? MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

We are praising the Lord for meeting our needs...for protecting us from bad decisions...for giving us peace and comfort...for Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

(if you don't know this kind of peace, e-mail me, I will tell you all about it - with details!)