What Good Gifts has God given you?

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬

Did you know that God says that the trials and temptations(difficulties) we are given are gifts!

I’m sure many of us don’t see our afflictions, our relationship issues, ourfinancial problems, losses, grief, ministry problems, personal criticisms…etc...as gifts. But according to the book of James that is what God says they are.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭

James says, “You need to know this! Your trials and temptations perform God’s work in your life!”

“ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭

Difficult circumstances are God’s plan(or performance) to patience for my perfecting!

Say that 10 times fast!

Perfecting doesn't mean sinlessness.

It means complete. Fully surrendered to be more and more like Christ.

It is a performing work that He will work in you until the day you are called to glory!

Trials, difficulties, losses, and afflictions, are all for one purpose to make us more like Christ.

They are gifts from a loving, unchanging, powerful, trustworthy God.

They are good because He is always good!  “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬

This is a difficult concept for our finite minds.

I know I wrestled with it for a while after I contracted a chronic virus that led to multiple chronic illnesses.

It doesn't seem good

And

It doesn't feel good!

It is when I asked myself, “Do you truly believe and trust God?” and began to search His Word the answer.

The conclusion was:

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭71‬

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭28‬ ‭

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭

Some of the many gifts are:

I get to know God more and in ways I never would have without the affliction.

I have the privilege of declaring the goodness and glory of God through tough circumstances.

I am able to know, feel, and display the all-sufficient grace of God and Hos power will rest on me!

What wonderful gifts if you and I respond properly to temptations and trials God allows in our lives.