My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing. But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask. Whoever asks shouldn’t hesitate. They should ask in faith, without doubting. Whoever doubts is like the surf of the sea, tossed and turned by the wind. People like that should never imagine that they will receive anything from the Lord. They are double-minded, unstable in all their ways. Brothers and sisters who are poor should find satisfaction in their high status. Those who are wealthy should find satisfaction in their low status, because they will die off like wildflowers. The sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass so that its flowers fall and its beauty is lost. Just like that, in the midst of their daily lives, the wealthy will waste away. Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward. ~James 1:2-12 (CEB)
On this path of where I am at the moment moving on towards who I am supposed to be, I find myself restless for the not-yet. I cannot let myself get distracted in this time of in-between. Now more than ever I need a firm foundation under my feet. I can’t afford to let Satan find me distracted. If I build now on sandy ground I won’t be able to stand up to future pressures. This is the time to store up wisdom. With time on my hands, I shouldn’t be idle, I don’t want to be caught unaware only to be tossed around when the winds start to blow. This in-between time is just another moment of testing.
Heavenly Father, although it is difficult to find joy in the testing I do recognize that these trials are a vehicle to building my faith; faith will build endurance; endurance will bring maturity and wisdom for the journey. I may not be always joyful but I am thankful for the growth and the tools that enable me to better do You will for my life. Amen.
Pieces of the Puzzle 