Disclaimer:

Many stories herein are subject to the faulty, and sometimes creative, memory of the blog owner and should not be taken as factual, although the names and events are real! Kind of.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Joy in Trials

I recently finished the Beth Moore study "James--Mercy Triumphs.".  There were many life lessons to be learned and applied in this book but the theme and the verse that continued to come up in my life--on Facebook, in other Bible studies, was that of James 1:2

Consider it pure joy my brothers 
whenever you face trials of many kinds, 
because you know that the testing of your faith 
develops perseverance.

Well.  Really.  Who wants to keep hearing that?  Was it a warning, a message, or just a theme that happened to be in all the media I was being exposed to lately?

I also recently read Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts  about finding joy wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whatever circumstances you find yourself in. She describes how we must look for and can find joy in the midst of mountains of laundry, sick children, and hurting people. Take her "Joy Dare" by clicking on this link and find out how to give yourself One Thousand Gifts before the year is up.  But remember--you are giving the gifts from you because they are simple, sought after gifts from God.

Ann Voskamp emphasizes that you must hunt for joy in the midst of chaos.  James assures that we will find joy in trials.  My daily devotional from "Jesus Calling" and Bible reading has centered around relying on God step by step, one day and one moment at a time.  

Today we've been called on to put our lessons to practice.  We've been looking forward to the birth in September of our first grandchild.  Today, Sarah and Jake went to the doctor for the ultrasound to find out if we should buy pink or blue.  Turns out we still don't know.  The ultrasound showed a lot of fluid around the baby's brain, heart and liver--the doctor has given a preliminary diagnosis of fetal hydrops.  This can result in death of the newborn shortly before or after delivery.  

Our hearts are broken for our children.  We have relatives with serious illnesses.  We have friends who struggle with health and family issues.  You probably have things in your life that Satan is using to attempt to steal your joy and hide the fact that God is always there by our side in whatever situations we find ourselves in.

Will you please join us in prayer as we strive to find joy in our circumstances?  

Thank you. 

5 comments:

Melody said...

Sweetest Dawn,
I will pray for you and your family during this difficult time. Though it hurts so much you are still striving for the perfect joy. I am awed by your example. Thank you.
Melody

Paula said...

No matter what, we know that God is good all the time. Our hurt is real pain, but God's comfort is real too. We are praying for you all (and ourselves) as we process this. Oh, I have been reading One Thousand Gifts too
Love you all and wish I could hug you in person.

Jennifer said...

Dawn, thank for this wonderful reminder to fill our hearts and minds with God's Soveriegnty. When we do this on a consistent basis it leaves no room for fear, doubt, worry, etc.... I am so proud to be your friend and sister in Christ... I will be in prayer for you and your family that you will all fill your thoughts and hearts with God's truth daily during these trials and afterwards as well. :) Love you

Unknown said...

Praying for peace and comfort for your family. Babies are a gift from God whether we hold them in our arms or in our heart.

Freckled Hen said...

Praying, Dawn.

One Last Thought.......

Pleasant words are a honeycomb;
sweet to the soul and healing to the body.
Proverbs 16:
24