Peace and Quiet

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 become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don’t know what you are doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. As boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you are going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

James 1: 1-8 (The Message)

I love reading The Message. So many verses just catch my eye - and my heart - and then I must share them. Today, when I read ” You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors” - I just had to pause and think about my life the last few months. Under pressure is a definite description, and yes, my faith-life has been forced into the open.

Oh, I didn’t try to hide it before - I’ve always been pretty open about my faith. It’s my struggles that are more out in the open, and when I share my struggles, my faith comes along with it. People ask how I cope with certain things, and I get to share my faith.

Sharing my faith doesn’t make my problems or trials or circumstances better - but it sure makes the outlook better. Knowing that God is in control, that He has my best interests at heart, that He has plans and a hopeful future for me, and that He can and will make good come of all of it - well, even in the midst, I can thank Him for using me, using us, for His good. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Would you?

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