Pure Joy...

Here is a bit of what God is teaching me right now... Can't take create - this one comes from Beth Moore. My internal thoughts but her words...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Ps 71:20-21 " Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again."

"One reason God allows us to experience troubles is because He desires to reveal His joy to us through restoration. Reread those difficult words: 'Though you have made me see troubles many and bitter.' A consistent theme running throughout God's Word is the believer's trial resulting from God's perfect will. I am not referring to God's permissive will when we choose to go astray. I am referring to His perfect choice for us to know hardship for kingdom gain... times when He ordains difficulty in our lives.

I've experienced trials that I finally was forced to acknowledge as the absolute will of God. My life has never been easy... and I have finally confronted the fact that it probably never will be. Yet, in the same breath, I can readily proclaim that my life has been good. Part of the still-limited maturity I have gained is the result of realizing that good does not equal easy. Rarely has God removed from my life circumstances or people that force me to my knees. Many of my trials must have been ordained by Him because of the results they rendered.

I am convinced we cannot begin to really know Christ until we learn to fellowship with Him in His sufferings."

I couldn't have said it any better!