Rejoice, a trial is coming, you are in one now, or you just got through one! How does that make you feel? The real question is not whether trials will come, but whether we will trust Christ when they do. Every hardship presents us with an opportunity to either draw closer to God or drift further from His presence. The urgency of the matter is that our response today is shaping the testimony we will have tomorrow. Because of life’s trials there are certain verses in scripture that I don’t like but have come to love because I know that they are good for me. I often pray over what is written in *James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.* There are people that I meet, some in passing, ones that I know a little, and even ones that I dearly love that are going through something that they are not “joyous” about in the moment. Some are suffering from sickness or maybe they are dealing with the death of a family member. There may be financial problems, work related issues, relationships that are struggling, and the list goes on. I talk to many individuals that are having mental, emotional, and even spiritual challenges and crises where all they want is the pain and torment to stop. Sometimes life just gets overwhelming, I know it does for me at times, but in all truth I feel that I am one of the biggest offenders losing my joy because I let the challenges I face cause me to doubt God’s ability to help me. I have heard it said that “God will not give you more than you can handle” and I do not believe that those words are scripturally based in any way, shape, or form. I have read the “go-to” scriptures that many like to quote as a mantra like what is written in, *1 Corinthians 10:13…but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able…* and *Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.* These are all well and good, but, I know for myself, it seems as though God has given me more than I can handle more times than I can count. But I have come to learn that I have never been given more than “He” can handle. I have a friend who knows what I go through on a regular basis, the attacks I experience, the struggles I endure, who sent me a message saying, “I pray you survive the day”. I realize that they meant well, but in that moment my response was quick, simple, and to the point, “I pray I don’t, I want to go home”. I often contemplate the words of Paul written in *Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.* My Friends, I know that I am not alone when I focus less on Christ and more on the crisis. May we encourage each other daily to endure knowing that God is in control and believing that He will strengthen us to go through whatever is put before us because it is by His mighty hand and may we Rejoice, trusting that the Lord Jesus is with us. I do want to thank all of you who pray for my family and I regularly, especially as we are going through all that we are in the moment, you are truly my Beloved. Let us also remember that none of us are called to walk this road alone, but together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether your trial is visible to others or known only to God, you are not forgotten, and your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Therefore, let us stand firm with unwavering conviction, rejoicing in the faithfulness of God and trusting that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. One day we may look back and discover that the very trial we pleaded for God to remove became the instrument He used to make us more like His Son. Every tear surrendered to Christ is precious to Him, and not one moment of faithful endurance will ever be wasted. When eternity is finally before us, we will not regret trusting the Savior who never once stopped holding us, even when we could not feel His hand. Closing thought: If we wait until the storm passes before we seek the Lord, we may miss the very lessons He is teaching us in the midst of it. Faith is not proven when everything is easy; faith is revealed when everything around us seems to be falling apart. Fruit is grown in the valley, not on the mountaintops. Now is the time to cling to Christ and not merely acknowledge Him from a distance. I can boldly say that I have learned to be grateful for the trials that force me to cling to the Lord Jesus more closely than I ever would have otherwise. May we never love the trial itself, but may we learn to love our loving Savior to whom every trial drives us too. 

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.