"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3)

I'm so tired. I'm tired of never-ending assignments, of finding that one duty leads to another, of being confused by people issues, of finding that no matter how productive I try to be, how early I wake up and how late I try to stay up -- there is always something else requiring attention. And now my hands are paining from the load I've put on them and all my assignments are word-based.

I've already lessened my workload and still this happens.

Seriously, I've been wanting to give up. I've been wanting to scream and gripe about the woes that befall me.

Then the speaker at CF last week said something. He sensed that a lot of us were tired, and he said, "It's when you're tired that you must press on, you must persevere. For real love never gives up."

Well, he was talking about love, which at first thought doesn't relate. But if you think about God's kind of love, it makes sense. Love for the people asking for help. Love for God and for making sure all things honor Him. And if I give up, what would that say about my God? That He's such a defeatist? Forbid it!

And so I'm trying. I'm trying to count my blessings. I'm trying to not let the trials, little be they, eat at me. I try to continually focus on God that He'll be my strength. I remember Eunice mentioning how the more physically spent she was, the stronger she was spiritually, and am encouraged by that.

Oh that I would get there! That I would cling to His words, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9)!

And as I make it step by step, I've witnessed mini victories and mini miracles. And it's these little things that encourage me and remind me to say, "Lord, I will praise You regardless. Blessed are You, Lord."

Amen