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Written by Gloria Copeland

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:2-4).

Usually, when you're in the midst of a trial, the last thing you feel like doing is counting it all joy. Naturally speaking, you're not in the mood to jump and sing and rejoice over this opportunity to develop patience.

But the truth is, you should. If you'll let patience have her perfect work, you'll obtain perfect health. If you're in financial trouble, you'll have all your needs met. It means you will receive whatever the Word of God has promised you!

Hebrews 10 confirms that. Addressing a group of people who had been through an extremely fiery trial, it reads:

Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (vv. 32-36).

You might as well know right now that if you want to enjoy the health, deliverance and prosperity God has promised you, you'll have to let patience work. You'll have to believe God when it's hard to do. You'll have to keep walking in faith when your flesh just wants to quit.

That may sound negative, but it's not. It's just the truth. And if you know that truth, you can prepare yourself in advance for those hard times by deciding that when they come, you won't give up. You can train yourself for victory by starting right now to develop the force of patience you'll need to make it through when the going gets tough. In the end, you might just surprise yourself. You'll be counting it all joy without giving it a second thought!

Speak the Word: I count it all joy while I am in the midst of my trials. I let patience have her perfect work in me that I may be perfect and entire. (James 1:2-4)

For Further Study: Romans 5:1-5

Daily Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 18-19; 2 Corinthians 8

Excerpt permission granted by
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka:  Kenneth Copeland Ministries