Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Our hope is that constant awareness that despite our fears, our anxieties, and doubts there is a presence illuminating our thoughts inviting us to remain patient with our troubles, for in Our Father's good time a remedy will present itself.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~ James 1:2-4
The Father asks us to persevere in the face of overwhelming odds, calculated to teach us that in God's good time we will receive the benefit of our resilience building our hope filled determination never to surrender to our fears.
It has been said by those who have faced difficulties driving them to near collapse, that when they were close to capitulating to their fear that defeat was imminent, it was as if a river of fresh courage gushed into their thoughts inviting them to keep the faith by resisting the temptation to give up, by just another day until the remedy presented itself...as if out of the blue.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” ~ Romans 5:3-5
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