"Blossom After Winter"

October 08, 2023 Daily Devotion: "Blossom After Winter" James 1:2-8 New International Version 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, [a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Have you ever felt your faith in God waver? Sometimes, a doubt passes through us like a ripple. But on other occasions, it hits us like a crashing wave. And when that happens, the experience of doubt can feel very isolating. But even in those lonely moments or seasons when we’re questioning what we believe, we’re never alone. For centuries, countless believers before us have struggled through the same thoughts and emotions. What’s more, our struggles don’t upset the Lord, who remains by our side, even when we can’t sense His presence. We may not always be able to see how seasons of doubt factor into our journey with God, but that doesn’t mean those ripples and waves are without divine purposes. Instead of worrying about your thoughts, try accepting that they’re a normal part of the process of growing in Christ. Be gentle with yourself and don’t force anything.