James 1-Devotional

Wrote this devotional for those that need it.

Blessings,

K

Reading: James 1:1-27

The day was August 15^th 2008; a day that forever changed the landscape of my life. With mere words from a neurologist every hope and dream for my child changed. My daughter had just been given what seemed like the most hopeless of diagnoses. Overwhelming fear and panic set in. My husband and I just kept looking at our thirteen-month-old baby in disbelief.

Perhaps you’ve faced terrifying and paralyzing news in your life—be it your child, your spouse or another family member or even yourself. It literally shakes you to your very core. There are feelings that you can’t put into words.

I remember that night, even though physically and mentally, I was completely frozen and broken like I’d never been before. The innate desire to take on the card that my child had just been dealt consumed me. It was my own mother who gave me James 1 in the early hours of the morning, when I had yet to fall asleep.

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, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

Pure joy. Seriously, Lord? Watching my child have seizure after seizure, giving her injections, knowing she will never do the things I had envisioned her doing, seeing her struggle with side effects from medication…and the Father tells me to see pure joy out of that?

Joy. It didn’t come over night, and it was certainly no walk in the park to realize where to find it. It took time for me to see that there was a difference in outward and inner joy. I believe that is what the Lord was trying to teach me throughout these last several years. Joy that comes from our King is unshakeable. Joy that comes from Him does not cease because things in our lives become unbearable. True joy comes from a relationship with the King. A daily walk with Him, seeing His hand on your life.

I face so many obstacles in my life with my daughter, but the reason I have joy has nothing to do with the circumstances of my life. I have joy because I know that the victory is already His. He has already seen the brokenness in me and loved me in-spite of myself. His desire for me is to be broken before Him. I have come to realize that this journey of life is just a temporary dwelling place and we truly aren’t at home here. I don’t honestly know if my child will ever do the things that I originally had planned or dreamed for her. I firmly believe that His desire is for my daughter’s life to reach others for His glory, by being witness to the pure joy she holds within. Her joy is not about what she can do, what she can say, or what she will one day be…it is joy that radiates from the inside out. God-given JOY. He gave me the honor and blessing of being her mom and continues to allow me to tell others about His great love for my daughters, our family and me.

I want you to know that He sees your sorrow. He sees the traumatic event that is taking place or that took place in your life. He knows. You can have joy and have it to the fullest if you allow yourself to let go of your plans, your hopes, your dreams and give your life over to His will. It is perfect. You will find the pure joy. Persevere.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

What amazing words, right? Continuing to persevere even though you want to quit. Continuing to move forward and answer God’s call on your life even though it doesn’t make sense. Standing firm in your love for Him…even when it’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done. He has promised those who love Him the crown of life. Eternity with Him. Eternity to see the struggles you currently have-eliminated. You are blessed, I am blessed, to be daily walking with a Savior who has already gone before my trials and allowed me to receive and experience pure joy.

Oh, so blessed.

K