James 1:2-4 My brothers, you will have many kinds of troubles. But when these things happen, you should be very happy. You know that these things are testing your faith. And this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete. You will have everything you need.
Let’s go ahead and admit that when something has us in a negative mood our faith is definitely tested. We are unable to see hope and goodness, love and joy, let alone the perfect peace that God grants us.
We are promised peace. Philippians 4:7 “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
It is God’s desire that in all things we count it as joy. James 1:2 above says “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”
I don’t think it is God testing our faith so much as life happening tests our faith. But we can overcome it. We can gather strength from God: Psalm 28:8 “The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Rest in the assurance of God’s love for you. Lean on His strength. Ask him to help you experience the peace and joy which is yours at all times.”
Get your mind off the negative and embrace that which God gives you.
Until Next Time~
Blessings, Kate
#42
Encouraging-Grace 
It has been said that God gets too much blame, and the Devil too much credit, for the troubles and trials that come our way.
I am convinced the Bible is true, all of Creation was cursed at The Fall, and it has been running downhill since then.
I just had a night where troubles caused me to be blinded, as if it blocked my brain from thinking of anything else or escaping its grasp. But I was not alone, and I am grateful to God for the peace the Father gives to us. When I came up for air, so to speak, it was time to pray, ponder, recover, and focus on something completely different. My wife’s love, Jesus’ love, Scripture.
As you stated, it is a difficult thing to do. But then, who said being God’s people was easy?
peace to you and your readers.
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God allows life to test us. The situations and events may approach us through the efforts of other people. Sometimes we might sense an undercurrent at work, no doubt the enemy’s sorry task.
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