Good "Evening" Girls

So I am just now sitting down for my second day study through James with my Good Morning Girls at 8:45 in the evening. :) Today was a bit of a crazy day with the kiddos but that's okay, it was early bedtimes tonight!!

Today's verse (S) was James 1:3-4 "...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."

(O) Testing my faith develops perseverance?? I know for me usually it produces much frustruation and questioning why I'm going through what I'm going through at the given time. I always forget that the testing I am walking through (WITH Father, which I so often forget!! He will NEVER leave me or forsake me!!) is a tool He is using to develop my character and perseverance for what else may lie ahead. Scripture makes a point that in this life there WILL be trials, but how can I expect to walk through them the way I am meant to if I haven't been able to learn whatever it was FAther wanted me to learn from the previous ones??

(A) I so very much want to apply this verse in persevering through anything that comes my way, but I don't stand much of a chance if I do it through my own power. I HAVE to stay connected to the ONE TRUE power source and remain plugged into Him, to come to him daily through confession and prayer and allowing Him to speak to me through His Holy Spirit in order that I might have the wisdom that He is wanting to impart to me.

(P) Father, my prayer tonight is that I stay plugged into you!! Help me to keep my gaze fixed upon you, the author and perfecter of my faith!! Forgive me for the times I've just tried to grit my teeth and walk through a trial on my own strength, when your word promises that I can cast all my cares upon you for you care for me! Thank you for loving me that much, I am so unworthy!! Today I want to commit to walking this road with you, hand in hand....you are my rock, you are my redeemer, you are my safe place!!!