Trials, Joy, Perseverance

This is portions from my bible study time this morning.  What a blessing to wake up this morning and read this.  I picked up this book that I had not looked at in a while and started reading right where I left off.   I love how God takes you from a time of "learning opportunities" (correction) to a time a reminders that this is a marathon.  These small or big bumps on the road will not deter me from the race I am running, if I make a course correction. 

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.   James 1:2-4

“Between every trial and the blessing that comes from that trial, there is a pathway we must walk – that pathway is perseverance.  Perseverance means having an urgency, firmness, resolve and consistency.  And, while the joy of the blessing may seem a long way off, signposts or mile makers of joy line the way.  These will help us preserver if we will consider them. 

…… ‘I might not be able to see the blessing right now, but this trial may be a protection – shielding me from something I may not see.’

……  The second signpost we can consider to help us preserver is provision.  Maybe God is providing us with many things I never expected to come from a trial.

......The final signpost we can consider along a pathway of perseverance is process.  I have finally realized that making lasting changes is a process. There are no quick fixes.  There will be good days and bad days…….. And it’s the truth that God loves me the way I am, but He loves me too much to leave me stuck in defeat.”  Lysa Terkerust,  Made to Crave Devotional.