My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

- James 1:2–3, NKJV

Have you ever considered the different ingredients of a cake?

The flour is dry and chalky, the salt is bitter, and the butter alone is not so tasty. But when we mix the entire cake and add the icing, we have a delicacy!

Some seasons of life are like eating a single ingredient from the cake. Life has seasons that can be difficult and challenging. If the glass is always half empty, we become bitter. But when we add in the blessings, we find life more palatable.

Have you ever wished you could snap your fingers and things would change instantly? That would be amazing. Right?

There are many ways to change our life, but snapping our fingers does not work.

And if we could see things instantly change, we would miss invaluable life lessons, character growth, and heart transformations!

When we are in the midst of a trial or tough season, it isn’t easy to understand the eventual benefit.

However, seeing a trial as an opportunity is the first step to growth and change.

The chance to shift a test to a testimony requires faith and patience.

Faith is the substance of seeing better things ahead. God's promises are available to us, but the enemy surrounds our promises with lies and obstacles.

Focus on the word of God and His truth…see past and beyond the obstacles through the eyes of faith.

The promises of God are yes and amen, and God is standing over His word to perform it for you!  

Blessings,
Thomas