Crown of Life

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

Love that verse!! Persevere actually means, if we break it down PER- means THROUGH and SEVERE - means DIFFICULTIES.

Now how many of you feel like you've been under fire or that your going "through difficulties" right now? 🙋🏼‍♀️

Coronavirus, pandemic, stock market crashing, furloughs, loss of jobs, social distancing, working from home, stay at home, shelter in place, sickness, sadness, isolation.....my husband wanting 3 meals a day🤦🏼‍♀️😐 LOL, I have to add in a little humor from my life. Keep my sanity. I would call ALL that going through difficulties. These are trying times! I know we are struggling just like everyone one else. The first few days of “staying home” not to bad but by day 24 oh my goodness you can feel like “Are you STILL HERE?” “Can I have just a moment by myself?” “If I have to make one more meal for you...”🤯🤯 I for one value my alone time and yet there are people....my family who I love dearly but they are here 24/7 LOL. That can weigh on a person. First let me say, if this is you, there is nothing wrong in feeling this way, it’s simply human nature. We were thrust into this, the likes of something we’ve never seen in our lifetime. There’s no handbook or guide to tell us how to navigate this. So first lets let you off the hook of feeling like a terrible person because your not! You’re simply human and trying to find the new normal for the time being.

This verse though, it gives me HOPE!! Lets go a little further into the verse to the word STOOD- it means to have or maintain upright position, - supported by ones feet, - rise to ones feet. Well, if you are in Christ, then you ARE IN RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD! But this verse tells us we have a part to do and that is to stand and rest in The Lord "through difficult" times.

You don't build character and purification through easy stuff, no it's through the fire, it's through the hard times. So while we're "going through" STAND!!!! DONT GIVE UP, YOU ASK, KEEP ON ASKING, YOU KNOCK AND KEEP ON KNOCKING!! We persevere through our trials, you are not a wimpy Christian! No! You are an overcomer!!

Its true God could just deliver us in a millisecond and sometimes He does just that but other times its the going through that we have to do. So sweet friends don't despise this time, if He says we need to go through then its for a reason, He has our best interest at heart so let Him perfect you. Sometimes if we are just delivered from, instead of going through, we lose the beauty of our purification in the process. We lose those lessons that build character and the things that draw us closer together and to Him, and our trust in a MIGHTY GOD, a FAITHFUL GOD WHO LOVES US DEARLY AND ONLY WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU AND ME!!

He created you for a purpose and has a great plan for you so DON'T GIVE UP WHEN YOU’RE GOING THROUGH DIFFICULTIES, KEEP PERSEVERING!! PRAY, KEEP ON PRAYING!!! STAND, KEEP ON STANDING!!! Your breakthrough is coming, you will receive that crown of life God has promised.

God bless you! Have a wonderful day!

Big hugs,

Nicole💗