Good Morning Girls!  Yesterday I was given a perfect opportunity to put my newly restored faith to the test.  I was delivered some news that a week ago would have very well had me curled up in the fetal position crying for for a blankey, a latte, and a pint of Ben and Jerry's.  Yesterday was different.  Yesterday I woke up with the same trust in the Lord I went to bed with the night before.  Yesterday I woke up claiming God's goodness, faithfulness, and favor on me and my family (and I meant every word of it).  Yesterday I accepted no words other than those that lined up with God's Word.  Yesterday I spoke no words other than those that lined up with God's Word.  Yesterday I did not play the "what if" game.  Yesterday, I purposed that despite the reality around me, my God is still on the throne and in perfect control!  Yep, that was my yesterday.....and it will be my today and my tomorrow as well!
So what's up with this new resolve?  How is it that my strength, patience, peace, and endurance is now stronger than ever?  I admit there were times yesterday when I thought "wow Jen, you are really handling this well".  Then I would laugh because my response to myself (yes I converse with myself often)  was "you are not handling it well.  you are not handling it at all......God is handling it.  That is why you need not take any care of it."  It's so nice to be able to "pass off" the crummy stuff to the Lord and let him take care of it.......if only He would vacuum!
God is so fun.  When I sat down to write this morning I started thinking about yesterday and how I had felt all day.  I thought, "wow, after all that this summer has brought, I feel stronger than ever."  Then the Lord responded with today's verse (I had another one planned).  I believe that when we have revelation of something he delights in saying "Hey Girl!  I told you that's how it works.  I've got written proof to back that up.  I said it before and I'll say it again.  Go check out what it says in James 1:2-4."
So I went there, and I started laughing.  You know, these verses are meant to bring us comfort in times of trouble, but for me, it never did.  I always felt a little sarcastic when I would try to confess them.  It's not that I didn't believe them, it's just that I didn't feel it.  Remember, I was lead by my feelings for most of the summer.  If I didn't feel it, it wasn't true.  Well, guess what Girls;  I feel it.  I believe it.  And it is true!
Now maybe you are still struggling with your own stuff.  Maybe when you read today's verse you feel like I always felt.  A little like "that's great....but I am done being developed for now."  Maybe you don't feel like your troubles are a cause for joy.  I understand.  If you cannot find joy in the midst of your trouble right now, try to find joy in this: if you do not quit I promise you there will come a day when you find that the trouble you are currently in will in fact bring you cause for joy.  You will have a day when you realize that you've got your fight on like you've never had it before.  You will look at your troubles head on and not even flinch.  You will laugh in the face of adversity and say "really, is that all you've got.  I've been through must worse honey".  Trust me.  If you cannot see it for yourself today.  See it for me.  I believe my trials will help others and that, My Girls, gives me the last laugh!

James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  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.

Enjoying my growth spurt,

Jen