I just want to share a word God gave me a few weeks back. I was praying for someone and I was wondering as I prayed how I am suppose to live out the verse that said to count it all joy when faced with trials & tribulations. Instead of counting it joy, I was worried about this person. After I prayed, I took a shower & then was drying my hair. While I was doing that, I felt God speak to me & say “Stand still”. I knew He meant that literally. So I set the blower dryer down & stood still. Then He said, “Take a step.” I did. Next, He said, “Did you worry about taking that step? Were you afraid that the ground would not hold you up? Even though you had taken steps before and it had been ok, did you worry that this one wouldn’t be? What if you go somewhere you have never been before, when you open the car door to get out, do you worry that the ground might not hold you up? Do you take each step with hesitation & caution or do you just walk & never question if the ground below your feet will hold you up? Can you not trust Me more than you trust the ground you walk on?” Then we go to church that Sunday, and the song is sung with the line “Your more real than the wind in my lungs. You are more real than the ground I’m standing on.” Tears began to flow down my face. I then understood how I can count it all joy. The joy comes from knowing God is in control and that I can trust Him! (This was shared on Facebook one year ago by my mom, Patty Johnston.)

I don’t know about you, but I really needed the reminder!! When we see the ones we love struggling it can be so extremely difficult, but we must continually lay them at the feet of Jesus because there are so many things in their lives only He can do. He is the miracle worker, not us. We walk by faith and not by sight.

We can also look to our own lives when we are praying for our loved ones and waiting to see those miracles happen. We can ask ourselves what the trials are producing in our lives? We are the ones who decides what we will allow them to do in and through us. Are we allowing them to make us better or make us bitter? Are we allowing them to increase our faith or destroy it? What we do in the season of waiting matters.

James 1:2-4 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Blessings,

Nichole Henson, MSW

Fullness of Joy Ministry