This is, I believe, at least part of why James exhorts us to count trials as joy. Trials, and the testing of our faith, reveal our deficiencies—those places that demand healing and growth for the sake of the journey still ahead. Growth for the sake of spiritual maturity. Unto, as James says, “that you may be perfect.”

There is a dichotomy in life that is difficult to understand sometimes, a pendulum of emotions that can take us from joy to pain in a moment or even simultaneously. This paradox creates questions that often don't have answers and causes a whole range of emotions. That is why I love the Psalms so much. David asks the same questions I do.

I find it beautiful that we have a God who sees us in these mundane moments and is ready and delighted to meet our needs in them. He really does care about our everyday holiness.

It is in taking a good, honest look at these two truths that the beauty of the gospel shines so brightly. The perfect, good, holy Creator God of the universe loves me, a rebellious and imperfect sinner. This can only be possible through the gospel.

Have you ever longed to retract or rephrase something you've said? If you're anything like me, this desire is all too familiar. We’ve all likely found ourselves regretting our words more times than we can count, especially in moments of heightened emotion or complex conversations.

Maybe you read the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s ministry on Earth and you struggle to apply the descriptions of His compassion and mercy to yourself today. Maybe you are exhilarated by the good news of the Gospel and yet you grapple with the truth that Jesus not only saves you from sin but wants to be with you.

It seems our modern world defines love as a “strong feeling” at most. Love is commonly viewed as a blend of feelings and emotion. I would agree in part.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 God is love (agápē). If we want a real picture of what love is, we must look at God himself.

In this third part of a series on working in light of the gospel, we look to find Christ-like ways and motivation for impacting our work and workplace. In this post, we want to consider some practical ways to connect our occupation to the gospel of Jesus.

The sacred act of prayer is releasing control from myself back to God. It’s acknowledging that He is Lord and I am not, and that our hope for any and all circumstances rests in His hands.

I have found myself recently in a season of fear, discouragement, and spiritual drought. An Old Testament account gives me such hope.

It’s like a puzzle. Have you ever been putting together a puzzle and then there’s a piece missing? You did all of this work putting the puzzle together but you can’t see the full picture because there are pieces missing. That’s what happens when one of you is missing. We’re missing pieces of the puzzle.”

I’m sure I’m not alone in hearing one or two sermons on this passage, or even just reading it myself and thinking, “Yep. I feel you, Martha.” Distracted with much serving. Anxious and troubled about many things. Asking Jesus to send help.