A Prayer to Deepen Your Faith This Christmas Season
By Chelsey DeMatteis
Bible Reading:
“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 1:2-3
Listen or Read Below:
Life is a constant ebb and flow. If I’m being honest, I’m not sure which seasons feel longer. Sometimes, the swells of the ebb feel as if I can’t catch a breath. Then comes the flow, and it feels like it’s going so quickly I can’t stop to take it all in. They can both be exhausting in their own way. Both can be marked by incredible trials, too—trials that deepen my faith and mark my life forever.
We often believe that trials come in the absence of joy. I’m not sure why or how we’ve fabricated this in our minds because it’s just not true. The Word of God makes this eminently clear. He tells us in James 1:2-3, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” We all say we want a steadfast faith, a hard-fought faith, and an unshakable faith. But that comes with trials of all kinds where we have to depend on God in ways that seem as if they cost us something. It costs us comfort and ease but brings forth the faith we long for.
God’s Word doesn’t say, “You will not face trials of any kind so long as your life is filled with joy.” What it tells us is that we will face trials throughout all of life, and to count it as joy, which will lead to steadfastness. The steadfastness of God translates to a greater hope in who holds our lives together. The steadfastness we have in commitment to our faith is how we worship the Lord through the way we live.
I think of the trials Jesus faced. They were constant. Deepening the well of His heart as He paved the way for us to follow. However, in the constant trials – His hope and joy were constant, too. I know – He’s the Savior of the world, so of course, He can be constantly hopeful and joyful. But let us not be so quick to write off our ability to emulate these attributes of Christ. When we do, we give in all too quickly to the life our Father wants for us. We, too, can be joyful and hopeful in the midst of trials because Jesus was. We can seek to walk forward faithfully, counting it joy when we face trials for the Kingdom. Because they grow our need for God and reveal the immeasurable grace we’ve received.
Let’s Pray:
Father, what a gift it is to know that you are with me as I walk through trials. Remind me that I, too, can walk through anything with the joy and hope of Jesus. You have given me the way to do so, which is walking in step with your Spirit.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Winyuu
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
Editor’s Note: We’re proud to announce we’ve just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You’ll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it’s a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling – Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young’s classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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