"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
(James 1:2-4)
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings aboutperseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hopedoes not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
(Romans 5:3-5)
I'm sitting here, today, inside the Meyer Center because it is raining like crazy outside. In fact, it has been raining for the past few days. Rain for a homeless person is treacherous. It means not going anywhere, not getting anything done, and if you happen to work, it is more than likely outside, and rain means no work. People get cranky and tempers flare. Racial slurs get tossed around and fights break out. All because of rain. Rain is supposed to be a blessing! It IS a blessing! But when people don't recognize it for what it is, bad things happen. Plus, Monday my hat was stolen, Wednesday, the pedal fell off my bike, not just while I was riding it either. It was on the front of the bus! It is GONE! My cross necklace, my bracelet, and one of my gloves (yes, one) were stolen, I left my keys to my locker and bike in my boss' truck and won't get them until Monday, my jeans both have holes in bad places and one pair has an extra tear in the side of the leg. All of these things are not fun and they happen every day to these people. Yet God is reminding me at the bottom of this page that I "will go out in joy and be led forth in peace." (Isaiah 55:12) (thank you, Laura, for this wonderful journal!) This is because of the verses at the beginning of this entry. We rejoice in our sufferings and consider trials to be pure joy because they produce perseverance! And the only way to persevere is through consistency in the Word and prayer. That was last nights chapel service. Consistency. Be consistent with God and you will be less inclined to fall into sin, especially when going through trials. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) Without consistency, you won't persevere in trials and therefore won't produce patience in your life. Remember these two words. Consistency and Perseverance.
