God doesn’t say I need to do something or live a certain way without providing a way to do it. There has to be a way to live like more than a conqueror even in this place I am. A way to count it all joy…
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
I never noticed the words “full effect” before…I mean I never really thought about them. I think maybe what that is saying is to let life happen and grow from it. That makes sense, because steadfastness also means patience, perseverance, endurance and fidelity.
Maybe part of counting it all joy is allowing the trials to happen…living the life of trials without trying to fix something that is not within our power to truly fix.
Maybe we are to patiently allow it to work in our lives…allow the trials to mold us…to make us complete.
That really wasn’t the answer I was looking for…I was hoping for something more like: “Count it all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, because God’s got the quick fix.”
So I’m back to…do I trust Him?
Do I trust His timing? His provision? His care of my children? His plan for my life?
Do I trust that He can work through any decision I make?
Do I trust that He can do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine? But that might mean it doesn’t look at all like I’d hoped, but it will still be good.
Do I trust Him to love me regardless of my mistakes and missteps?
Do I trust that He will lead me?
Do I trust Him?
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett 
