Struggle is an opportunity for joy

Joy is usually the last thing we experience when we encounter struggle in our lives. But maybe it shouldn’t be.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind 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. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4)

As spring fully breaks out across this corner of the world, I am always astonished at the beauty of restored life. Flowers and trees and shrubs (excuse me while I sneeze), all so lovely. Not the barren, dead sticks of winter.

Everyone (and everything) faces winter seasons, those times when hope seems like a distant memory and faith is too much work. We've all been there.

I love how God designed Creation to represent parts of our own life journeys, because if we ever need a reminder about how life is made up on seasons, just look out your window. Winter must come, yes, but that also means spring will follow.