This Week in Scripture; 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

The first thing a person does when he or she has been attacked for their personal beliefs is to complain about it (Don't deny it; I've done it a time or two myself!); either that or snap right back at the attacker, causing an argument that will never end (That in itself is a pain.).

I have a challenge; instead of fighting back (with your tongue or your fists) and instead of complaining, we should consider a different tactic: Thank God for it!

It sounds completely odd, but hear (read?) me out: What the world finds to be a strength isn't necessarily what God wants us to do; we can be treated as heroes for beating up a bully, but we still assaulted someone who is in God's image. We can always be generous with our money, but it really isn't our money to begin with (It belongs to God.) and our motive behind the generosity should be considered. While psychologists encourage married couples to have fantasies regarding other people, God says that our desires are for one another alone and not to defile the marriage bed.

That said, no matter what we do, we'll always be the world's adversary since we claim Christ's righteousness as ours. Rejoice in the fact that you are different and, most importantly, that God is your God and He has called you to be His. We don't lack for anything because God provides our needs (See v. 4.); our faith is strengthened when we trust God more.

Praise God for such wondrous things!