Rejoice in the Lord Always

Life here on earth is full of trials and we as christians are to persevere with the strenghth of our Lord in heaven. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence." -James 1:2 It has really become evident to me the need for rejoicing especially during the hard times, because God has a perfect and absolute plan that will add to His glory and end in good. "but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." -Hebrews 12:10 The trials we face daily as christians are the Lords way of disciplining us and leading us in the direction of His holiness. Our reactions to these struggles, whether we accept it with joy and change for the better with God at our right hand or have bitterness and turn away from the Lord, determines our growth. Those who persevere will gain a harvest of righteousness and peace. This path goes a little something like this..."Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." -Romans 5:1-5 The Lord in His righeousness and perfection has planned out trials for each and everyone of us and how we react to them will reflect our trust in the Lord and whether we possess the knowledge that God is in control and He will always be there for those who live for Him. The Lord is good and He will bring good out of our suffering. Therefore let us..."Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice!" -Philippians 4:4