Today's Thought
Scripture often instructs us to do the very opposite of what our flesh instinctively wants to do. God tells us to have courage instead of being fearful, to pray instead of worry, and to consider trials, pure joy. God sees beyond the vapor of this life from the eternal perspective, and so only He knows just how every bit of pain is producing an eternal glory and every moment we choose courage over fear, it is producing an eternal resilience. He can instruct us with full confidence that even in the midst of the trials, there truly is joy, but it takes faith to act on what He says.

Prayer Focus:
Father, I ask that you would give me joy in the middle of my trials. Give me the ability to stir my heart with the joy of knowing that you are working eternal glory and deeper faith in the times in my life where I cannot see the final outcome. Thank you for developing perseverance in me. Help me to remain in you and allow perseverance to finish its work. I want to be mature and complete in you, not lacking anything. Your ways are higher, your grace is greater, and your Holy Spirit gives me the daily strength I need to continue to press forward. You are the author and the finisher of my faith, complete the work that you started in Jesus name, Amen.