Mom was often asked if she prayed that we would return to Canada. “No” she reply “I always prayed God’s will for them.”
The Christian journey from someone outside the faith must seem a peculiar one.
When it does, we know we’re living it the way God wants us to. As Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:9-12 :
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
James says that we are to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of any kind. I think it is almost comical how we can say “amen” to those verses on Sunday, but don’t put them into practice on Monday. (By comical I mean sad.) When will we let the Bible read us and be the two-edge sword in our lives? When will we let truth become our reality instead of letting what we interpret as reality to replace the truth of scripture?
CONSIDER IT PURE JOY!
Considering it joy was a choice Mom made when we went away just when she needed us most. She encouraged us to be faithful 
to God and obey what he told us. She questioned me when I told her we were coming home. She was glad to see of course, but she was more glad we let the Holy Spirit direct our steps.
So when the next bit of life hits you, and the promise of Christ no one ever names-and-claims, comes true (in this world you will have trouble – John 16:33)- what are you going to do? Whine and complain, like any fallen creature in this fallen world or CONSIDER IT PURE JOY? It’s a choice the Holy Spirit empowers you to make. You can do it.
You’re too precious to him for him not to change you.
Amen! Love this. Especially where you wrote… “James says that we are to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of any kind. I think it is almost comical how we can say “amen” to those verses on Sunday, but don’t put them into practice on Monday.”
I’m in a trial and I’m rejoicing! Thank You, Father!
Thanks Lisa. Have you checked out LifeAbovetheNegativity.com ? I don’t have all the answers for the trials of life, but I have asked most the questions.
Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?
I really like your blog and i respect your work. I’ll be a frequent visitor.