“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

James 1:2-3

One morning recently I woke up discouraged.  It was kind of like, I “got out on the wrong side of bed”!

I had not slept well.  And several things were on my mind.  I wasn’t depressed, no, it was worse than that, I was discouraged!  To me being depressed is sort of a natural cycle of life, and we need to pass through that cycle occasionally and come out the other side.  To me it’s kind of like weather cycles, you have high weather systems and low weather systems (depressions), and they’re natural.  But being discouraged is a loss of courage and that’s just bad!

Anyway, as I was struggling in my discouragement the Lord brought me to James 1.2-3 and the lights came on!  I was being tempted by “divers” things, (diverse, or different things).  I was being tempted to BE discouraged and TO STAY discouraged!  I needed to understand what was happening and not give in to the temptation!

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”

Once I knew what was going on – and reading my Bible certainly helped – I was able to patiently work through whatever was discouraging me and give it to the Lord just like the Bible says.  “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

So next time you are tempted to “get up on the wrong side of the bed”, or something like that, well… BE CAREFUL, and remember… “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”