A Spectacle Of Glory #185

Read: James 1:2-4, PHILLIPS

Why do some hardships never go away—even after we pray and pray? The pinched nerve doesn’t heal; the job situation doesn’t improve; the marriage doesn’t get any better. Consider this: The core of God’s plan is to rescue us from sin and self-centeredness. Suffering is one of God’s choice tools to accomplish this. And it can be a long process. Some heartaches in our lives won’t be like a 250-piece jigsaw puzzle that can be solved in a single evening. In today’s Scripture, James writes, “When all kinds of trials crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed.”^a God has a long-term plan for your life to mold you into the image of Jesus. The results will be worth waiting for!

Father, help me embrace the ongoing difficulties and perplexities in my life. I want You to develop my endurance. I want to be stronger and wiser and more like Jesus. But honestly, I get discouraged. I feel impatient when things don’t change. Please restore my faith and hope today.