When the hard season will not end

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

James 1:2-3 · ESV

Lord, I am not going to pretend this feels like joy. It feels like a test I did not sign up for. But You say the testing of my faith produces steadfastness, and I want to be the kind of person who holds. So do that work in me. Use what I would never have chosen. Give me the long view when I can only see today, and enough joy to keep going, even if it is small. Amen.

One step: Finish this sentence in writing: "This season is teaching me..." If nothing comes, write what you hope it will teach you, and read it again in a week.