Dear Joynetters, I definitely do agree with Welchy Fernandes that Jesus is with us in our = trials and He suffers with us. =20 But what I also think is that there is a purpose for our sufferings. =20 James 1:2-3 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face = trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith = develops perseverance."=20 We have all heard about the "roller coaster" Christianity. We're = loving Jesus one day but wondering if He's near us the next. We have one = of our best days but one of our worst the next. Why does this happen? = Many people relate the "roller coaster" Christianity with our fire for = the Lord. It may also be caused by trials we face on a daily basis. The = trials begin blocking our path and pile on top of each other. Soon a = mountain is formed and we lose sight of Jesus. Instead of climbing over = this mountain, we give up and throw ourselves a pity party at the base = of the mountain. Or maybe we are overtaken and buried under the falling = rocks of an avalanche. This is when our true Christianity surfaces. This = is when we see how mature we are in the Lord. Are we going to scale that = mountain at the cost of knowing Him more, or are we going to blame = everything on the devil and let our circumstance rule us?=20 It is so easy to love God when life is great. It is so easy to = live a life that testifies as a witness to unbelievers when we have = sufficient sleep, plenty of food, extra time, and much money. It is so = easy to do things for God as long as He blesses us. As long as we're = comfortable we're okay. Paul looked at the situation differently. = Through all his persecutions and multiple imprisonment's, Paul learned = to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13). He also = wrote half a chapter in 2 Corinthians about the difficulties he had = faced. "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in = great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, = imprisonment's and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and = hunger.having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Corinthians = 6:4-5,10). Take advantage of the difficulties you face. It is at this = time that you can grow. A rubber band can only hold something together = when it is stretched. A kite can only fly with resistance to the wind. = Our weaknesses are truly brought to light when we are out of our comfort = zone. So don't get all crazy and stressed when the waters get rough. = They shall pass and you soon will not even remember anymore. Don't just = survive; persevere. Get in the mind set that you don't have to survive. = Champions don't think like quitters or losers. Champions think like = champions. Conquerors think like conquerors. "No, in all these things we = are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). Let = our true Christianity be worthy of praise, not disgrace Eagles soar above the storm=20 Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is=20 approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly=20 to some high spot and wait for the winds to come.=20 When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the=20 wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm.=20 While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring=20 above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It=20 simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on=20 the winds that bring the storm.=20 When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us=20 will experience them - we can rise above them by=20 setting our minds and our belief toward God. The=20 storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's=20 power to lift us above them.=20 The Bible says, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew=20 their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles."=20 Isaiah 40:31 =20 Love & Prayers Jennifer Fernandes Mumbai [demime 0.97b removed an attachment of type text/x-vcard which had a name of Jennifer Fernandes.vcf] ********************************************************************** This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] To know more about Jesus Youth, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org **********************************************************************