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My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. James 1:2-4 TPT

When it seems as though…..Those words reverberate as if shouted into a deep well, only to echo back to me again. Facing difficulties at every turn is both daunting and discouraging. I don’t think they’re often seen as the pathway to joy and ultimately perfection, especially when those difficulties never seem to end. I’m hoping this stirs up some familiar feelings in my readers today.

But James speaks truth in this letter he writes to fellow believers. Testing does stir up the power of endurance. When I look back over my life and the things I’ve faced, I realize that when life is hard, my resolve to get through it also hardens. The bond I’ve formed with the Great Encourager who lives in me, has made me stronger, releasing perfection into every part of me until there is nothing I am missing or lacking to complete this race that lays before me.

If you’ve ever climbed a mountain, you will know that it is not for the faint of heart. Each step is hard. The higher you go, the harder it is to breathe. It takes courage to climb higher, but once you’ve reached the top, you’re rewarded with a view that is breath taking. You’ve discovered muscles you never new existed in your body. Your legs shake and you feel weary to the bone, but all is forgotten with the joy of accomplishment. You made it!

So today, I encourage you to allow yourself to remember the bond you share with the Holy Spirit. His strength bonded with your weakness works better than any Gorilla Glue. You’re going to get through this perpetual trial. No mountain is too high for you to climb with Him, no river too wide that you can’t cross with Him. Allow Him to release into you the fortitude and stamina to get to where He needs you to be.

Remember that when Satan sees you, he recognizes the God that is in you. You’re unstoppable and he knows it very well. The only way he can win is if you forget who you are. Never forget! He’s not at war with you, he’s at war with God. He will throw every obstacle in your way to keep you from getting through this. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and climb. You’re going to make it!

Extending My Hand,

Sandy G