What’s your source of joy? Could it possibly be found in your trials? Tribulations? Suffering? My guess is those were not the words that came to your mind. But from God’s point of view, that’s exactly what trials in our lives should create in us - joy. Why? Because our test becomes our testimony. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). My son David claimed this Scripture over his circumstances when he was a young teenager. He had a budding basketball career. And two knee surgeries - one on each knee - in less than three years. The first one happened when he was 13, the second one at 15. Yet David was able to experience joy in his suffering. How? He allowed these trials to produce the eternal qualities of steadfastness. Perseverance. Endurance. And faith. That’s what God wants from all of us as well. To become stronger internally and eternally because of hard times. And then help others who are going through the same trial (2 Cor. 1:4). Our mess then becomes our message. And our test, our testimony.
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