Trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV) Our friend and pastor, John, gave us this passage yesterday when he stopped by the hospital to visit with Mark who endured knee replacement surgery this week. Mark expected pain but nothing like he experienced. Finally, they discovered that he is part of the 25% of people that morphine does not help which meant that for the first 8-10 hours after surgery, he was without any pain relief. What a very long day! With the problem resolved, he spent the day recovering from all the medication he had been given in addition to getting this new knee to work. God has been so good to us with the new friends that have walked into our lives as evidenced during this recent trial. We know that He is working in our lives to produce that perseverance that will make a difference for the kingdom – even with detours to the hospital.