Guest Encourager: Josh Barnett
James 1:2-3
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance... (NRSV)
A friend once told a story of driving along the interstate when he had a tire go flat. As he pulled over, he was dreading having to get out on the side of this busy highway to change the tire. To add to this situation it was a rainy night. As he squatted soaking wet next to his car attempting to loosen the tight lug nuts my friend reached a breaking point.
I expected him to tell me that he starting swearing or that he got angry and upset. Instead, my friend said that right when he was at the breaking point, he started praying. He prayed out loud, he called out to Jesus; he gave praise to God and called upon the Holy Spirit to empower him through the mess he was in. Right when most of us would have gone ballistic from the frustration, he found joy by going to God.
As you encounter trials of all shapes and sizes this week, consider it joy, give praise to God and embrace that experience as an ultimate faith builder.
Submitted by:
Josh W. Barnett
Communications Coordinator
Calvary United Methodist Church
1700 N. Towanda Avenue
Normal, Illinois 61761
joshb@cumcnormal.org
www.cumcnormal.org
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