“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.” –James 1:2-3
This morning as I read this verse, I was once again reminded of how God uses hard times in our lives to reveal more of Himself to us and make us more dependent upon Him. Through perseverance during hard times, God is refining us and making us more mature and complete in Him.
This verse really hit home this morning as I reflected on all that’s happening with my Pappy. Recently, Pappy was diagnosed with a very rare blood disease and his health has decreased rapidly. Pappy went from going to the gym multiple times a week, taking frequent trips to the grocery story (to buy “provisions” as he calls them ha), and going to church and Shriner’s meetings to days filled with doctor’s appointments, shots, and sleeping. It breaks my heart to see his quality of life decline and I hurt knowing that he hurts. More than anything, I don’t want Pappy to be in pain.
In light of all that’s happened with Pappy, I’ve been reminded to find joy in these trials and to recognize that God is in control, He always has been and He always will be. I know that this earth is not our home and I long to leave this broken, messed up place. I’m excited for Pappy to be reunited with his mom and dad, his brothers and sisters, and all his friends. I’m excited for Pappy to be with Jesus and celebrate the day when there will be no more weeping, no more hurt or pain, and no more suffering. I can’t imagine how I would feel if Pappy didn’t love Jesus and find so much comfort in knowing that even when he’s no longer on this earth, there will be a day when I will see him again. My heart will hurt when Pappy isn’t a phone call away, when I can’t sit on his lap as he tells me silly jokes or as he rubs my back and whistles in my ear. I’ll miss him terribly and am crying just thinking about losing him. Yet, I know that God is in control, that He has every one of our days numbered, and that He is preparing a place for us where we can live with Him for eternity—a place far greater than we can even comprehend or imagine, a place where we can see Jesus face to face.
My prayer is that God would use this trial to draw us all closer to Him. I pray that Pappy wouldn’t be in pain and that He would find all of his joy and strength in the Lord. I pray that Pappy wouldn’t suffer and that Jesus would prepare a place for him in Heaven when He’s ready to call him home. I love my Pappy and praise the Lord for blessing me with such an amazing, Godly, and loving grandfather.
