I think one of the joyous moments of a parent is when their child starts to walk.  I remember as each of mine did.  There was always those moments when as a parent you are hovering, waiting to catch them when they fall, as they do when they begin to get their feet going.  But in just a short time they learn to balance, learn to walk and then run . . . and then they get into everything 🙂

What loving parent would try to keep their child from learning to walk? A wise parent knows that in order for a child to walk there’s going to be some bumps along the way. There are going to be attempts to walk that end in failure. But those attempts must precede ultimate success.   God is a great parent. He doesn’t want you crawling your whole life. He could do everything for you and keep from ever encountering a problem. But if He did you would be immature forever.  Your heavenly Father lets your faith come under attack so that you will mature, so that you won’t remain a spiritual infant for the rest of your life.

James puts it plain when he says “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.^[1]James 1:2-4 ESV

I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time being joyful when I am having a difficult time, when it seems I am going through one trial after another.  I think, how can I be joyful, this hurts!  James reminds us to remember ( for you know ) that the testing produces steadfastness.  That’s a word I don’t use often, so I looked it up just to be sure.  Websters online dictionary defines it this way, “firmly fixed in place; not subject to change; firm in belief, determination, or adherence”.  I like that.  I don’t like being tested, but I like the thought that when I am and I have survived, I am more firmly fixed in place!

I have some friends who have been facing some hard trials, criticism and deep personal attack.  My heart grieves for them, honestly for all parties involved.  The whole situation has inevitably pulled me into the process, where I am also searching my heart, feeling the fallout, and wrestling through its impact in my own life.  But today I have peace.  O, it feels rough, but I still have peace.  The truth of God’s word brings peace!   I am working up to the joy part of it, but look forward to the results.

As I process through all that is going on, I find myself doing some deep scripture reading and searching my own heart for its attitudes and actions to others.  There are things that I have discovered in this time, that says “my attitude stinks”, my focus has shifted off Jesus, my heart is broken.  However, I am reminded of some of the tough stuff I have walked through in my past, criticism, rejection, loneliness, discouragement to name a few.  But I was able to stay the course in the past, and that gives strength to be steadfast, amid what is going on now.

How about you?  Are you steadfast?  Are you in the process of production of steadfastness?  I pray for all those who read this, that they may be encouraged and find joy, knowing God is at work.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.^[2]1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV