05/21/2026
In a recent message at church, our Pastor described a hard but simple reality of life. When we face a problem, our desire is to have an easy, clear & straight-line path from problem to solution.➡️ But the reality is that our journey through trials are far different than that. Instead, the path we walk is often confusing, unclear & chaotic – taking one step forward, just to take two steps back.↩️
We think “Why would God allow the path to be uncertain & difficult? Why can’t it just be easy?” The honest answer is this: When your life is easy & comfortable, you have no reason to 1) trust & depend on God & 2) change to be transformed into Christlikeness.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, calls the person who perseveres under trial BLESSED. In other words, the person who trusts God even without clarity. The person who allows God to transform their heart in the midst of suffering. That person is blessed, praiseworthy & approved by God.
He goes on to say, “having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” The CROWN OF LIFE 👑 – Wow. All the pain, all the suffering, all the tears… they’ll be worth it. Because we’re promised the crown of life - an eternity with the God who loves & who wipes away every tear.
Blessed are YOU who persevere, trust in God's plan & allow him to grow you more into his image.
James 1:12 | May Invoice Verse
