Always Believe

DEVOTION
JAMES
ALWAYS BELIEVE
James 5:10-11
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
NIV
Truly I cannot think of my life of one of suffering so how does this apply to me? Maybe in some sense I am mistreated by certain non-believers but I dare not think that is suffering. Is being looked down upon because I have no retirement income suffering? Is being thought of being foolish because I trust God for my future suffering? What other form of suffering can I be subject to in this country? Will being a Christian cause me loss somehow in the future? I know I have suffered some because of my own behaviors, but that does not count. This suffering must be because of my faith in Jesus Christ Maybe I suffer in some sense because I do not subscribe to the worldly way of ministry. That if I am to be listened to I have to have the right papers, the title, the education of men, the degree in pastoral studies, or the like. Without all those trappings I have no credibility. I cannot believe God requires all that in order to speak for him or about his truths. Maybe because I look to God for all my provisions instead of looking to myself I am persecuted by my fellow believers in a certain sense. I know I have been told if I don’t provide for my family I am worse than an infidel suffering? I do know I have done the greatest provision for my family. I made sure my family knows Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Are the things of this world more important than that? I really do no care what people think of my life except that I am a man of faith. If that is all I am every remembered my life was worth living. I think if I have anything I have perseverance, not because I have it, but because God has blessed me with it. I desire to be known as a man who believes God. No matter what comes my way I will always believe.