Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you can become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. — James 1:2-4 The Message
I want to begin this devotional by thanking those of you who made it possible for Kim and me to attend the International Theophostic Prayer Ministry Convention last week. We are humbled by your generosity and sacrifices on behalf of this ministry. I also want to say how excited I was to meet several of you for the first time, face to face. I pray that the Lord’s encouragement might rest on you.
Those of you who attended the conference will recognize this text as the passage that Dr. Smith concentrated on during one of his presentations. All of us experience trials. I could give you a long list of mine, and you could probably respond with a list just as long (or longer) for yourself.
What’s it like when tests and challenges come at you from all sides? It’s like trying to survive in the ring with a professional boxer swinging at you. After a few hits, never mind trying to win the fight, we’re just trying to remember why we climbed in the ring. So if you are having one of those “what am I doing here?” experiences, I know the feeling well.
But God calls it “a sheer gift,” or “pure joy,” or “all joy.” Wow! What does God know that we don’t?
I think it boils down to this: God knows His intentions, even when we lose sight of them. And God knows how to work with us. We may be staggering around in the ring wondering why we are there, but God is not staggering or wondering. He has us exactly where He wants us, and, when the fog clears, we will smile to discover who we really are: the much-loved, indestructible children of God.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.