Gift Yourself This Christmas
When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. —James 1:2b, NLT
You’re Christmas gift shopping for your Aunt Louise when all of a sudden—hola—it’s right there. The perfect gift. Your prefect gift.
Maybe you get it. Maybe you don’t. If you’re like me, there’s guilt if you get it. There’s a moment of remorse when you don’t.
But do I have a gift for you this Christmas! AND it’s free! Gift yourself with what James is saying here. Consider it a great joy when a roadblock, zinger, or a bad day comes your way. Far more than turning that frown upside down, gift yourself by realizing the trouble you are experiencing in the now is an opportunity to trust God more. Give whatever mess you’re having to God. God cares for you, and God will take care of it.
James further explains what he means about handing over hardships to God. In verse 3 he says, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
Fully developing endurance is a process I’m not sure any of us can complete, but this doesn’t mean we can’t strive for it. This Christmas gift yourself (and Aunt Louise). Have great joy no matter what comes your way.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help our endurance have a chance to grow. No one welcomes a humdinger, but we can hum a hymn of praise to you when it happens. Amen.
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