Devotions from Judy’s heart

This morning was foggy and we couldn’t see across the lake like we usually do. We were wishing the sun could break through and clear up the fog, as drove to church. Sometimes I think life is like that as the things we are going through are like a thick fog.we may not understand or see the purpose in the difficult circumstances. We know in our heads that the Lord is there in our midst but we may not sense His presence. Even though we hear that we should welcome problems and challenges, it is not easy to do. Just think of our own children when they were young. We could have tried to protect them from anything difficult but then how would they handle the big things in life later on? Jim Stovall writes, “Any problem that doesn’t defeat us, ultimately strengthens us.” We can often look back and see how things we went through that were so hard and challenging were actually a blessing in disguise. They strengthened our faith and helped us grow. As James 1 says, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” But I must confess when the fog lifted, I am rejoicing in the sunshine now!