Pure Joy!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds... James 1:2

PURE: "Straightforward; unaffected"
JOY: "State of happiness"

PURE JOY: STRAIGHTFORWARD, UNAFFECTED STATE OF HAPPINESS

We know that God works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him. Therefore, WHEN we face trials of many kinds, we are to "consider it PURE JOY." Which, by definition, is a straightforward, unaffected state of happiness! We all face trials of many kinds every day. From the smallest to the largest, we are to consider them all pure joy, not just the ones that are easy to be happy with. Sometimes, God allows us to see the outcome of the trial right away, making it easy for us to have joy in it. But, more often than not, we do not see the benefits of it and our human nature allows us to be angry, sad, frustrated, depressed, or any of the other emotions within us. As we seek a closer relationship with Christ, HIS Spirit living within us guides our emotions so that we can instantly realize that we should give every situation over to HIM and find UNAFFECTED HAPPINESS in it. We cannot let anything affect this happiness. Not other people, other situations, others outcome in the same situation...nothing!

God is bringing our family into "full time ministry" in our lives. Often, from a world view,
"full time ministry" sounds like "poverty!" But, HE is showing us every single day that, when we trust HIM, and give it all to HIM, nothing could be further from the truth! We have PURE JOY in this life that we are pre-destined to live. Not that we do not fail HIM occasionally! Believe that we are not perfect and certainly can, and do, fall for the lies of the enemy and fall short of His Glory. It is a constant effort on our part to "conform to HIS image" and not the ways of the world. We have to be constantly on the "lookout" for those fiery darts of the enemy and know where they come from and how to overlook them and look to HIM!

Let us all remember that Christ directs our lives and He is always in control, even when things are seemingly hopeless. He gives hope to the hopeless and strength to the weary.

Stay in HIS TRUTH! See... Isaiah 40:31, Romans 5:3-5, Romans 12:2