Thursday, September 21, 2006
Last night I slept in a real bed! Upon waking I happened to glance at the books on the nightstand in the room and decided to read today's page from Daily Light, which is a devotional written in 1875 (according to this site ) since I had heard good things about it. It's basically scripture designated to each day of the year, each with a different theme. Lately I've been feeling overwhelmed by some feelings, and I was getting discouraged because I thought for sure, if I didn't stop feeling the temptation, then I was failing. At the end of the entry in Daily Light for September 21, James 1:2-4 reads
I had never heard that scripture quite that way before (I've been reading a different version) and I realized that it wasn't wrong to feel tempted, but rather it was a strengthening of my faith every time I said "No!" Then it was encouraging, because rather than looking at the temptation as a negative, I was able to look at the strength I have through Christ - to say "no" - as a positive thing. Instead of viewing the temptation you face as a failing because the weakness of your flesh, rejoice in the strength of Christ that enables you to overcome the temptation.
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.
I had never heard that scripture quite that way before (I've been reading a different version) and I realized that it wasn't wrong to feel tempted, but rather it was a strengthening of my faith every time I said "No!" Then it was encouraging, because rather than looking at the temptation as a negative, I was able to look at the strength I have through Christ - to say "no" - as a positive thing. Instead of viewing the temptation you face as a failing because the weakness of your flesh, rejoice in the strength of Christ that enables you to overcome the temptation.
