Joy.

    Remember that song from Sunday School?

I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.

    The next sixteen weeks at church we are studying the book of James. When I heard we were spending sixteen weeks on a five chapter book, I was a little skeptical. But this morning was so amazing! We talked about trials and tribulations.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of all kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith will produce patience."

    When we think of trials, we normally don't think of the word 'joy'. But we fail to realize that when we accept Christ, we are filled with irreplaceable joy. But, whether we choose to live in that joy or not, is our choice.

    Pastor John had a great example today about withstanding a storm. If you look at pictures from a tornado, you see complete devastation. But if you look closely, you can see the trees still standing. Their tops are twisted and their bark is stripped, but they're standing.

This picture is such a beautiful picture of how Christians should lean towards the cross in times of trial.



If we walk closely with God, and we are firm in our faith, when the storm hits, we will endure.

Have an amazing week! :)