almost friday

almost friday sounds good but not as good as almost the weekend. thursday is an ok day because it is getting closer to the weekend, but it's like a tease at the same time. today and last thursday, i woke up and it felt like a friday. and both last thursday and today have been the worst days of the week (at work). i hope next thursday is a turnaround.

tonight should be fun though. adam and i invited some friends over for dinner. friends that we love so much but hardly ever see anymore. it should be great fellowship.

i've been frustrated lately about some things, however, james encourages us to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials and to persevere through them (james 1:2-3) so that is what i am trying to do. i can be so foolish and weak and it scares me how much bitterness and hatred can be in my heart at one time. but God is amazing as always and he's right by my side. we sang "i could run away" last night in homegroup and i can't stop thinking about those lyrics

i could run away
but you would never leave
you would always stay
right by my side

everything i've ever wanted
i've found in you

and i need you, oh i need you
every step of the way

so true. i need God every step of the way. i can't do this on my own. he truly is my source of strength and brings me peace in times of trial. i think about all the times that i've wanted to run away, hide, sleep forever, or go home to jesus early. it's usually when i'm failing at something or depressed or feel lonely, but God is right there by my side, every step of the way. and i eventually get up, and i'm stronger than ever; he puts me back on my feet and directs my path.

looking at the verses again in james 1:2-4 "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ...i see that God is at work in me and my perseverance is growing. these trials are good for me even if they are hard. i just need to endure it, respond to life's messes with a Christlike attitude and i need to keep the joy.