One day recently during my quiet time, I came across a piece of scripture that really struck a cord with me.
James 1:2-4 says: 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.
As I read this scripture I had an aha moment and I knew the Lord was speaking directly to me! As I had mentioned before we where scheduled to be moving to Virginia this week, we had made all the arrangements turned in our 60 day notice at our apartment complex etc. Then a month ago we found out we would have to stay another semester, which created all kinds of challenges. We were going to be facing a huge decrease in our income, we had to find a new place to live and on top of it all it was just overwhelmingly disappointing. I mean one day we where excited about moving to a new town starting new jobs, buying a house and then the next day we have 5 more months and have to put everything on hold. To say that I handled this with grace would be an understatement ha ha! I had a few days of panic and then came the anger. I was so mad, I did not understand why this was happening to us. Then I came across this scripture and I realized I have a choice. I can be angry about it, I can feel sorry for myself and ask why me? why us? why now? I can let it negatively affect my marriage and my faith. Or I can use this as an opportunity to grow. Grow my marriage, grow my spiritual life, grow my faith in the Lord. I can look at this as a blessing. We are down sizing, so that gives an opportunity to learn to live minimally, we will have more time to spend together as a couple and focus on what really matters. We can lean hard on each other and even harder on the Lord. We can learn that he is the ultimate provider, and that he is loving, kind and faithful and that he is the supplier of my happiness not my circumstances. I can look at this trial as an opportunity to strengthen Michael and I as a couple and as individuals and think about what it is preparing us for. So when the day finally does come, when we move to Virginia, start new jobs, buy a house and one day become parents we will be stronger and more reliant on the Lord!
So I am going to consider it pure joy! I am going to be grateful to the Lord and focus on the perseverance and strength that this trial will give Michael and I and our marriage. Don't get me wrong I still have days where I throw myself a little pity party and get all bent out of shape, but on those days I will remember that at the end of this I will be "mature and complete, not lacking anything" and for that I am grateful!
beautiful Tessa!!
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