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“You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
(James 1:3)
When Jim and I first married, we lived on a honeymooner’s budget, which means we did most of our furniture shopping at the local flea market. One day we discovered a wonderful antique brass bed. Orangey and almost black from the oxidation of the metal, its dismantled pieces leaned against the wall of a dingy booth behind other sparkling, more desirable items. But the price was right for us.
That old bed instantly became a treasure to us. But it had to be cleaned before we could use it and be proud of it. So we hauled our find home, set it up, and Jim went to work on it to see what he could do about the discoloration.
When I checked on his progress, I felt alarmed that Jim hadn’t taken a soft cloth and polish to the brass bed. He was laboring away with steel wool and a caustic cleaner! And he rubbed, and rubbed, and rubbed. The harder he rubbed, the brighter the brass shone. It came alive and was even more outstanding than we’d dreamed!
God’s testing of us through trials has a similar effect on our faith in Him. His trials are good for us. They bring out the best in us. Tests prove what we are made of and what we’ve learned—or not learned—as Christians. And they reveal how we’ve grown—or not grown. These tests are our vigorous “rubbing” by God.
Yes, we don’t understand fully the reasons for the tests and what they accomplish. And we perceive them as negative and painful. But remember that brass bed … and how it shone after some muscle work. Welcome the tests God sends your way. That way you will shine as a trophy of His grace!
A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus is a treasure trove of truths and applications that enable you to follow Jesus and let your light glorify God.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
“I used to be so confident. But now I feel like such a loser.” Do you feel this way? My God never asks for us to have confidence in ourselves. He only asks that we have confidence in Him! And when God commands, He also supplies. This is true for every area of your Christian life. You can get up every day, go to your closet, and select the spiritual clothes you’ll wear for the day. Here’s a partial description of God’s approved wardrobe.
Father’s Day gives families the time to thank dads for the many ways they meet our needs. While we can show that appreciation more than one time a year, let us take time to count the many blessings we enjoy because of our husband, and show him blessings in return.