Gifts from Above

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV) Often when we experience big tests, trusting God is not our first reaction. Then God speaks to our spirit and directs us to His Word. When more cancer was found in my system and I needed a second surgery, I was angry. Angry with the surgeon for not getting all the cancer the first time, angry that I was going back into surgery in two days and, yes, I think I was angry with God for my circumstance. I left to visit my brother who lived about three hours away. On the way, “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” popped into my mind. I did not know the reference, so I Googled it and found it in James. I was amazed that God spoke so clearly to me. He reminded me of where my experiences were coming from and that they were good. That scripture brought peace to my heart. God taught me many lessons in that season of my life. I gave up my job and lost my regular income, and my body was changed forever. In retrospect, I realized that these “things” had taken my focus away from God. I had given a lot of my time to perfecting my job, and I often wasted my earnings on frivolous, prideful buying. In the early months of my illness, I was afraid and unsure of the future, so I immersed myself in God’s Word. I spent many hours in prayer. I learned about His “rest” (trusting that He has me and is in total control of my circumstances). Father God, thank You for getting me back on track with You and teaching me that I can trust You in every circumstance. – Theresa Bose   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org