Day 18 - Enjoy the Silence

James 1:2-8, 12 ---

^2-4Consider 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.

^5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believing, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

¹²Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life

Hey Guys!

Well, let's enjoy the silence again. We are half way through these days, let's enjoy them. Take a minute to think about how you respond to disappointment. How do you deal with times? Times when you think - "My life stinks, I am going back to bed!" Before we get too into this journal down some tough issues, tough questions, or tough relationships that make you feel as though you'd be better off if you'd stayed in bed.

Now, read the passage a couple of times. Take special note of the things that pop out at you. There are certain words in those verses like, consider, know, ask, and blessed, which mark a path that can lead us through tough times. The first step, "Consider it pure joy, or a sheer gift." Then with the light of what we've seen, we gain the confidence to walk with a steadier step by the light of what we know. This gives us the confidence to ask for direction in those places where the trial is hard to read - or where it' easy to read but hard to walk. Finally, we come to a clearing, the place where, at least for a few steps, the journey starts to make sense. ("Blessed in the man who perseveres under trial").

Read those verses one more time. This time think about the journey and path of your own life, include not only uphill but also downhill, good times and bad times, times of clearing and times of confusion. As you read the words, pause to listen and reflect on your walk with God. Jot down your thoughts as you listen and pray.

-Colton