"...I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people."

-Luke 2:10

Last week we focused on this verse with great joy, knowing that God provided in the birth of Christ, the perfect and only acceptable One who could take away our sin. Again, we know through His birth, life, death and resurrection, Christ became our greatest source of joy. However, for us in this life, we still face trials, challenges and hardships dally. I received a note at Thanksgiving from a longtime friend of our ministry who wrote, "Seems the most difficult time to be thankful is when we are in the midst of a challenge or a trial. When the storm comes, giving thanks is rarely our first reaction, because adversity is never easy but it is always right." And why is it right? They continued, "He wants to strengthen all our weak spots, comfort our hurts and draw us to a greater dependence upon His sovereignty of resting in grace and mercy." James said it this way, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Be joyful! Be encouraged!

Scripture References: Luke 2:10; James 1:2-4