Mini Blog 6: We Will Stand

Well folks, it’s time for another mini-blog. I am slowly but surely getting back into writing more regularly, and I figure some mini-blogs would be a nice, comfortable place to start. This one is really mini, because it’s just one little verse and some thoughts from my Jesus journal. It’s something though, and I hope you like it.

Mini Blog 6: We Will Stand

…and all the tests that come after it.

You may or may not know that my husband and I have been dealing with some medical issues lately, and it affects our marriage in a big way. A lot of our expectations have had to shift because of various symptoms, medications, side effects, medical bills, etc. and it’s not exactly the kind of newlywed phase we were looking forward to. Instead, God allowed us to dive deeply into a marriage strengthened by commiseration and the intense need to depend on each other for comfort. We’re okay. Not as okay as we’d like to be, and not as okay as we hope to be soon, but we’re okay for now. We’ve taken what God has allowed in our life and accepted it, and we haven’t given up on Him or each other.

Allow me to share some Scripture and my reflections on its application to our life:

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12, NIV

From my journal (the “You” is me talking to God):

“I think we will stand this test. I ~~think~~ know we will persevere. We have to. There is a deep love & commitment in our hearts binding us, strengthening us. Caleb (reading over my shoulder as I wrote) asked me, ‘Which test?’ ‘All of them.’ All the ups & downs You allow, we will stand to face. Tests of commitment. OF love. Of patience. I think every day we are tested. I think the devil would love nothing more than for us to start noticing that and failing. But we won’t. We will walk the path set before us, illuminated by the strength and truth of Jesus’s love & grace & we will stand.”

Friends, let that be an inspiration to you. Let these words give you just a little more strength today. You can stand the test. You can persevere. You can do it, whatever “it” is!