Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Harsh climates produce amazing works of art.
This is one gnarly tree, but it's alive. This tree adds character to the Garden of the Gods. Its mettle is the result of seeing difficult days. These painful moments have produced this work of art.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." James 1:2 New Living Translation
Most of us want a pain free life.
We don't pray for cancer. We don't pray to lose our jobs. We don't pray for our marriage to end. These "troubles" come without our prayer. They are a part of our human experience and a reminder of the impact of sin's presence in our lives.
The power of grace is to turn our struggles, pains and heartaches into a work of art.
God works through the various struggles and trials of your life. It is difficult to see grace, let alone experience it, when we're smack-dab in the middle of the painful experience. James encourages us not only to endure these trials but to "consider it an opportunity for great joy" when we encounter them.
This is the joy of Christ who endured his cross because of the joy that was ahead of him. (Hebrews 12:2) What was that joy? Christ knew that through his suffering and death you would become a child of God, his sister, his brother.
You don't need to pray for trials. They come without your prayer, yet know that through these trials God works to make you a beautiful work of art that reflects his grace.
This is one gnarly tree, but it's alive. This tree adds character to the Garden of the Gods. Its mettle is the result of seeing difficult days. These painful moments have produced this work of art.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." James 1:2 New Living Translation
Most of us want a pain free life.
We don't pray for cancer. We don't pray to lose our jobs. We don't pray for our marriage to end. These "troubles" come without our prayer. They are a part of our human experience and a reminder of the impact of sin's presence in our lives.
The power of grace is to turn our struggles, pains and heartaches into a work of art.
God works through the various struggles and trials of your life. It is difficult to see grace, let alone experience it, when we're smack-dab in the middle of the painful experience. James encourages us not only to endure these trials but to "consider it an opportunity for great joy" when we encounter them.
This is the joy of Christ who endured his cross because of the joy that was ahead of him. (Hebrews 12:2) What was that joy? Christ knew that through his suffering and death you would become a child of God, his sister, his brother.
You don't need to pray for trials. They come without your prayer, yet know that through these trials God works to make you a beautiful work of art that reflects his grace.
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You can listen to the Praying With the Eyes broadcast at the ib network on Sundays at 8:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 8:30 pm MST (www.ibnetwork.us). You can also listen to the show on the ib network on Tunin Radio.
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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