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The Devotional Diva - Trying Times
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The Devotional Diva - Trying Times
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall unto divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 2-4 (KJV)
The word trying seems to arouse fear in my heart these days. Why not, we live in trying times. Turn on the television and we are encouraged to try this and try that. That one whitens my teeth. This one cleans my clothes. Another one says I deserve it. Go ahead – try it, you’ll like it!
The department stores try me. Testers labeled “try me” contain every fragrance and beauty potion known to woman. They lurk copiously at every aisle. Some testers even take human form poised to squirt customers like cockroaches. Blah!
Then there is the trying on. I used to love trying on! But that was many years and 30 pounds ago. Now trying on occurs only under the threat of total wardrobe annihilation. Even then, I still leave a store in tears when nothing fits. I think the Romans had the right idea – toga!
Trying becomes a larger foe when the trying threatens the very virtues I am trying to incorporate into my life! For example, the trying of my patience. I find it objectionable to have my patience tried. I find it objectionable to try the patience of others. We laughingly pass along the advice of never praying for patience, unless you want God to send you something to try it!
However, as I read this verse during my morning time with the Father on Wednesday, I noticed another trying. It was the trying of my faith.
As I continued to reflect on the words that followed, I noticed that the trying of my faith works into patience. Now that’s a concept worthy of close meditation! Now let’s go deeper still to discover another truth. Applied and practiced patience guides into that perfection God desires to create in us. I love the way God speaks through His Word!
I concluded my contemplation with a question. I wonder if the trying of my faith works patience, shouldn’t the trying of my patience work faith?
Today, I will be short with my words. I’ll leave room for the Holy Spirit to go long and deep in each of us.
What tries you today? What needs trying in you to produce a Christ-like value “that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing?”
Striving to be tried and true!
Barbara
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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