"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." -James 1:2
Sometimes this verse is just rough. When the Holy Spirit convicts you with it, it's like a nagging request resonating in your heart. It's conviction and if, and only if, you can keep reading, it's encouraging. It made me think today, as I jumped off the treadmill drenched in sweat because it was especially toasty in the gym, joy can be a measure of our heart's spiritual sweat.
Everyone has that type of outer, visual evidence of an inner struggle called sweat. Some people produce lots of it, others, not so much. Some people get stinky when they sweat, while some don't. Every time we come up against a spiritual battle, a bout in the desert, a season of suffering, we sweat (figuratively....well maybe physically too). We have the choice to respond with misery or with joy. So maybe we need to sniff things out a bit. What fragrance emits from our hearts during times of suffering? We have the opportunity to sweat the sweet scent of joy because suffering in Christ is for his glory and our better!
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