Near the back portion of the Bible there is a book called James. After a single greeting verse, the first chapter starts like this in verse two: Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. This verse is not talking about trials in front of a judge but struggles, hardships or troubles that we go through. The last thing we think of when things are not going our way is being joyful, but we should.
Someone very close to me has had a couple of medical issues or “trials” recently and has not been able to walk in several weeks. This past Saturday morning they were able to take a few steps. It was extremely painful, it hurt them badly and honestly it hurt me to have to watch them go through that. Neither of us were “happy”. However, we had joy. We knew that those extremely painful steps were part of building up endurance for more less painful steps later. A lot more painful moments are ahead as they continue rehab, and they won’t be happy because it will be painful but they can have joy because they know this is making them stronger. Obviously, the goal is to get them out of wheelchair and back walking, but even if they don’t we will have joy. They have already been able to do things they didn’t think they could do. Sometimes life doesn’t go the way we want, and we go through storms. God may not stop the storms, but He will be with us as we go through them. We may not understand why we are going through things, but if you remember being Meek is submitting to His will and trusting Him along the way.
Challenge for this week: Find your joy and count your blessings! Things don’t always go the way the we want, we lose games, relationships break up, family members get sick, we get sick or hurt….. Those things can take our happiness for a while, but make sure you keep you joy. God loves you and He has a plan for you, and He is never going to leave you. Knowing that is how you have joy.
Congratulations: Although most people that read this are from Meek or Arley area, I have to congratulate my man from Good Hope High School. Landon Bagwell recorded 20 tackles in their win over Vinemont last Friday.
I think half of Arley watched the Manchester Spartans football game Saturday. Congratulations Blake and Brayden for continuing your post high school football careers. You made us proud.
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