James 1 1:2-10

 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
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   We all face trials and challenge everyday in life. Depending on the intensity of the problem often times we turn to God in our times of desperation, pleading out to him: "Why God? Why me? Haven't you put me through enough?". In James 1 1:2-12 we are told to not be so troubled with the trials God is putting us through, but rather we should be happy he is putting us through them. Although this concept may seem odd it is through these hardships our faith is tested and completed. 

    Any of us can say that they love and trust God with all their hearts but it is in these times of desperation that we either turn to God or run. James says that through these trials our faith is tested and through perseverance our faith will grow and mature. If we continue to stay true to the Lord and trust in him fully we will that God has a plan for us and that he is contently watching out for us. 

     We are told that is we are in distress that we should ask God for the wisdom and the guidance to overcome the hurdles in life. But we need to be prepared to trust whatever direction God sends us. Often times when I pray for "big, meaningful" things; such as the internship with the Invisible Children, instead of praying to get the position I prayed that my heart would be opened to where ever God was leading me. Although I got the position I turned it down because God was telling me that I had work to do where I was. We need to trust in Gods path for us, when we ask for God's help but are not willing to except it we are double-minded and not sure what we truly want and are showing the Lord that we don't trust in him. 

      I challenge you for the rest of the week to just put your trust in the Lord. Where he leads you, follow him! When you pray for guidance, listen to him! I challenge you to truly trust in the Lord and do not question. God leads you where he wants you to be and will never give you trials he does not think you can face. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says: "Te temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more then you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.". God loves you and will protect you through everything, just trust in him completely. 

I pray for you and your walk with Christ