I remember my father quoting James 1 whenever I would complain about the challenges of my young life!

James 1 says:  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything!!”

Seriously? See the good in adversity? how is that possible?  and what is adversity?

Dictionary explanation is:

calamity, cataclysm, catastrophe, disaster; affliction, hardship, trial, tribulation, woe; distress, misery, suffering, unhappiness; defeat, failure, fizzle, curse, evil, sorrow, trouble; accident, casualty; blow, body blow, disappointment, letdown.

Find the good in that?

YES!

As I look over my life I recognize that my greatest times of character growth have been during hard times.   I am certain that Greg and I would never have seen the need for leaders to have a coach unless we had suffered in ministry.  Thus..we coach leaders as a profession today.   If Greg and I had never struggled with adversity in our marriage, I would never have felt the need to lead studies and encourage young brides! There is a richness to adversity; though I hate to admit it!

Are you facing a huge challenge, disappointment, hurt?  Look for what you can gain as you navigate the challenges you are facing! What you imagine could be the worst outcome could be your greatest learning hour!!

James 1 is right~in adversity we have much to gain!!

Yep–consider it all JOY!!!