Friday, June 5, 2009

Thankful Thursday - Trials


My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
~James 1:2-8

Thankful for trials? I have to admit, the first few times I read this passage I could not imagine it! Seriously, do we think of hard times as wonderful or full of joy? I know I don't. This week has been a shining example of trials, one after another. Did I rejoice through them? No, not while I was going through it. Let's just say I was a shining example of how Jesus would not have acted. (deep embarrassment here) But, as I sit here and think back on what happened, why, and how I should have acted, I can see how much I have learned in a short period, and how to act (not react) in the future. I gained some insight to my relationship with God and my husband. So, I'm thankful for:

  • Trials that open my eyes, help me learn and grow
  • A loving God that helps me through these times, even though I would have given up on myself long ago
  • A wonderful, patient, supportive husband that loves me despite my short-comings
  • That I live in a country where I can still stop and pray to Jehovah when I need (at least for now, but that's another topic)
  • For those that have, do , or will, fight for my right to continue to enjoy that and other freedoms
  • My Lord provides all my needs
  • My Savior died for me, and all came before, and will come after, me

5 comments:

Denise said...

Bless your thankful heart.

Angela said...

how to act (not react) in the future.

I LOVED this statement....I'm a 40 something also..lol....At this moment in time I can finally say that I am no longer being tossed to and fro, no longer being double minded. My family and I have been experiencing great trials in various forms, more than we have ever experienced..But I can honest say,,I Will Praise You In This Storm (Casting Crowns)

Thank you for visiting my blog. You have a beautiful glorifying to God blog!!

Lauren said...

Thanks so much for stopping by! I enjoyed your thankful list too! especially being thankful for trials...yes! God gives us so much in life's trials - if only we knew what He was really doing in those times!

Be Blessed today and I hope you come back to see me again!
~ Lauren

Pia said...

it's really hard to thank God when we're in such a mess. i couldn't also get myself to say thank you then but i do understand now. somehow, i can see a bigger picture now than how i saw things then which was constraint. it honors God when we praise Him in spite of. He rewards those who are faithful.

God bless you.

Lipstick n Laddles said...

lovely & inspiring list indeed =)
God bless....