James‬ ‭1:2-8‬ ‭Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

Go back and read this scripture again and again until you realize we all need help and we have a Father who helps. We are not to ‘worry our prayer’ but come to our Master with believing hearts.

Lord help me. I’m not sure what I am doing most all the time, as a parent, teacher, friend, and human. Guide me and let me not run from the pressure that will form me into Your Creation. Thank you for never giving up on us and loving us so completely… it is a “sheer gift” to be Yours. Amen.