SOMETIMES IT TAKES A STORM TO KNOW YOU NEED GOD

Missing Person's Remorial in Albany, New York

Our pastor started a new series this month, a slow and intense look into the book of James. A short book in the New Testament, yet packed with so much valuable information. A letter, James the Just wrote to believers of Jesus Christ thousands of years ago ~ and it still applies today.

This past weekend I joined the woman of our church for our denomination's annual women's spring conference. The theme fit perfectly with the Scripture we're absorbing as a church family back at Community Alliance. Isn't that cool? I love it when God puts all the pieces together so snuggly to form the picture we need from God, just when we need it.

If you're not familiar with this book of the Bible, the first few verses of James sum it up and prepare your heart for the message God has for us: 

"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. 
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, 
not lacking anything. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, 
having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life 
that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
James 1:2-4,12

You know my favorite Gram saying to repeat on a Monday, "So goes Monday, so goes the week." This week, I pray we all truly grasp and understand the truth of the verses above. It is possible to have joy in the midst of our trials and tribulations. There will be storms in this life. The Bible never says, if you believe in God, you will have not trouble, but instead it reminds us there will be trials and opposition but when we are going "through" these times ~ we need to remember God is refining and preparing us for something ahead. 

If someone would have told me in the days and months following Heidi's Kidnapping, "Lisa, someday you will look back and realize you are stronger and your struggle will help someone else." or "Lisa, you will write your journey to help others and travel to share this message of hope too" ~ I would have laughed at them. Only God knew how I would respond and handle Heidi's disappearance so many years later. 

There isn't a day I don't miss my sister yet there also isn't a day I don't wake up and say, "Thank you Jesus for all you did and continue to do for me. I can't do this alone." I may never see my sister or know the answers to "why" on this side of heaven but as I wait ~ I will trust HIM through this storm...Who are you trusting?

What storm are you facing right now? Do you consider it joy?