by Hazel Straub
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 NLT)
When we face difficulties, hardships, and inflation, we have a tendency to want to complain about our circumstances. God, however, uses trials to help us mature and become more like him. We like steel become strong, while in refining fire, which consumes the things not pleasing to God.
When our circumstances are not challenging, we have a tendency to depend upon ourselves in self sufficient pride.. In the fire of testing and hard times, it becomes clear that our way does not work. Difficult circumstances cause us to seek the Lord for help and strength. The hotter the flame, the more our avenues of escape disappear, exposing our character flaws, and we cry to God for relief. As we come to a place of total abandonment and dependency on him, we can rejoice in the process of his mercy and love. This process although painful, assists us in dying to our flesh and maturing to show more of Jesus, in our walk of faith.
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