Forgotten Promises Resurrected, James 1:2

James 1:2 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.

Real Power Comes From Jesus

Verses like this one and 2 Corinthians 9:12 when Paul pleaded with Jesus and Jesus said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  And Paul went on to say, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”.

Jesus Is The Source

These versus are powerful because they tell us and remind us that our strength, power, and authority are not within ourselves but rather come from Jesus.   

The day after my stroke, October 7, 2019, after I was reawakened from my induced coma, I ran to Jesus' arms because I knew that I wasn’t strong enough to deal with the effects of the stroke without Him.  I knew I needed His strength, power, and love if I was going to successfully recover at all, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Do you Know Emptiness or Fulfillment?

Without a doubt, having fully submitted to Jesus and relying on His strength is what made it possible to be where I am today.  I know without Him its a very real possibility I would not be here today. To put is as simple as I can it's because I had hope and I believed He was right there with me. I never considered suicide, but now I know were the edge is. I stood on the edge, I had every reasonable explanation known to man to step over the edge. I understand, not that I agree, now why someone takes that final step.

If I didn't have hope, if I hadn't cultivated a relationship with God (God The Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit) or better yet, if I hadn't opened my heart to let them in I very well could have taken that step. Actually, for the first 5 months following my stroke, the first question I was asked at the very numerous Dr. visits was if I was considering suicide. My answer was always a resounding "NO!" until I got so tired of being asked that question that I finally said, "Now that you mention it, it doesn't sound like a bad idea". That was the last time I was asked that question, which was my intention. I know the "world" doesn't understand Jesus' love for us. It is precisely what 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 tells us, "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them".

My Personal Wellbeing

My relation with God, God the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit has been instrumental to my wellbeing and able to meet head on the Challenges of my stroke.  My relationship has definitely made the difference between a joyful life and dire straights, negative , no hope, barely hanging on existence. 

No Hope

If you live the latter type of life I highly recommend pursuing a relationship with God.  That relationship consists of accepting Jesus as your savior, reading, meditating and learning the Holy Bible, and prayer.   There is more but as you develop your relationship you’ll learn more about developing your relationship you go along.  

Who do You Belong To?

Having and continually developing my own relationship couple with the promises in the Bible, like today’s highlighted promise help me immensely get through the tough days.  I’m reminded of who I really am, who I belong to and where my strength comes from.  In short, I know there is hope; I know what I’m going through opens a lot of doors that allow me to glorify God; and I know this is infirmity is temporary and compared to eternity and it's nothing but a mist in the wind of time.  God bless you 

May you always walk in the Truth!