Joy in Trials
James 1:2 ESV Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because I know the testing of your faith developed perserverance. I love how the English Standard Version words this verse. I have faced many kinds of trials through the years. I also love how themes come up from time to time. Joy has come up the past few days. My husband Tim referred to this theme of joy during his sermon last night. He was preaching from John 15:7-17. Tim focused on verse 11. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Tim mentioned joy in trials. He used the example of the biggest trial we faced together in 1999. Finding out at 5 months that our second child, Gabrielle Renee, had a fatal birth defect called anencephaly. He talked about our decision to carry Gabrielle despite my doctor encouraging us to induce labor early. "What is the use of carrying a child who is going to die?" He kept on asking. ...