The way something starts doesn't have to be the way it ends. That certainly is true about the way we close out this year, and I hope you'll be encouraged to know that God is still and will always be at work.
Looking back at 2022, you may have had a tough start to this year. Maybe it started out strong and began to dwindle as the months passed, and you feel like you aren't making any progress in life.
If you've been going through trial upon trial, and you feel as if you have drifted away from God's purpose for you, James gives us encouragement when it comes to those times.
James 1:2-4 tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Most of us don't desire trials. When we're in the midst of it, it can be hard to see any good come out of it. But because we live in a broken world, trials are an inevitable part of the package. One of the first things he assures us is that trials don't always equate to something bad.
Now, this doesn't mean that we won't experience very challenging hardships in our lives, but it does mean that even in those times, God is doing His work in us. I might even say God is at work in us, especially in those times. Growing us in perseverance and maturity in Christ.
Many times we look at purpose as this one thing that we are waiting to get to do. And God does and can give us a specific vision or guidance in the direction we should go. Yet, scripture is filled with many purposes that God has given us to carry out in our lives daily.
Whether that is the fruit of the Spirit, the different qualities of love we should practice, the great commission to make disciples, or to serve others. These are all purposes that God has outlined for us.
One of the things we as Christians are meant to do throughout our lives is to become more like Christ. That is our purpose, among many other things that scripture instructs us to do and encourages us to become.
So whether you have had some victories or losses this year, remember to look for how that experience can shape you to become more like Christ. Even in the darkest times of our lives, we can look to Christ, who is our hope and light, who will keep His word to His people.
If you desire to grow in your relationship with the Lord, allow life experiences to be a tool for God to transform you. We invite you to close out this year by signing up for a 1:1 Care Counseling Session, a 1:1 Coaching Session, or our Solace Space Group Sessions, which the first is taking place on October 20th. Scheduling Links below:
1:1 Care Session - Register Here
1:1 Coaching Session - Register Here
Solace Space Group Session - Register Here
Be encouraged and be blessed! 💞
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