Ezekiel 35:1-36:38
James 1:1-18
Psalm 116:1-19
Proverbs 27:23-27
"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."
Pure joy is difficult under the best of circumstances. But when facing trials? How does one consider it pure joy when one is very sick? Or out of a job? Or worried they can't make the next bill payment? When their children might reject the very idea of God? When one continues to struggle, and to fail, with the same sins, perseverance seems like a pipe dream.
It would seem that recognizing, experiencing this joy in the middle of trials would require an ability to see and understand things differently than we normally would...would require a wisdom we might not have. Where to find that wisdom?
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
Wow. "...gives generously to all without finding fault..." - I don't have the wisdom I need to obey His instructions, so He gives it to me when I ask, whether or not I deserve it.
So let's not let our sins or shortcomings discourage us. Let's not let the persistence of our failures cause us to give up. When we struggle, when we doubt, let us ask for His guidance, and His wisdom. He will give us the wisdom we need. He said so.
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