True Identity Ministries Blog

Whew…I am so thankful for seasonal changes! I am loving this time of warm sunshine, the beautiful flowers that are in full bloom, bike rides with my family and not dealing with the harsh coldness of winter!  But, spiritually speaking, this summer has been more like a colder season of testing for my family and me. Oh, sure, we’ve encountered some of the usual tests, such as minor illness, sibling rivalries and the day to day trials that come with living in this world. But, recently, there have been some tougher tests. Tough, tough job situations, a sister-in-law that is in end stage renal failure and in need of a new kidney, and those type of tests.

Ya know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Like the kind of testing that hurts! It’s like that exercising thing…the easier walks or 3 lb. weights are able to be handled with ease, but you start adding some running and 15lb. weights and ugh! Ouch! Those muscles are sure hurting! But, just like painful endurance in exercise helps strengthen our physical muscles; I know that these tests and trials are meant to strengthen our spiritual muscles as well!

James 1:2-5 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

James doesn’t say if you face trials, but whenever you face them. He assumes that we will have trials and that it is possible to profit from them. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain, but to have a positive outlook (“consider it pure joy”) because of what the trials will produce in us. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance, while they are opportunities to help us grow.

Some things I have been learning in this season are:


1. God is faithful (He doesn’t love me more when life is good, his love is consistent despite how I feel!!)
2. TRUST, TRUST, TRUST, TRUST- I am not in control, I cannot change things, so why worry??? Phil 4:6-7 says, “Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
3. Is my joy based on circumstances or is it based upon the Lord?? Paul said he had learned to be content in all situations, and to consider it pure JOY when we are going through these trials. This isn’t going to happen overnight...so be patient with myself.
4. I’m learning about a deeper level of compassion for others, everyone is going through life with their own set of difficulties. These trials help me to be more sensitive to the hurts and needs of others.
Whatever it is that you may be facing today, know that the Father loves you and is holding you safely in His arms. He cares for you and has your best intentions at heart; so we can freely TRUST him.

Father, we thank you for your unconditional love. We know that you care for us, that you have special plans for each one of us and that your plans for us are good! Help us to trust you when we don’t understand what’s going on. Help us to learn to be content and joyful in all circumstances, knowing that you are making us mature and complete. We love you, Jesus.

Stephanie Lammers