Guitar, Glee, and Charlie Brown Gummies

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1: 2-5

Trials. We all have them. Depending on what God wants us to get from them they can be absolutely dreadful, but we are supposed to be joyful and  see them as good when they come? I don't know about you, but that's an extremely hard thing to ask. In my own experience, I haven't done a very good job of this. I tend to let it all get the best of me. But lately I have started to see the reward of my trials. God has been working all along to make things happen in my life, and if you look closely you will see that in your own trials, whatever they may be, you can see where God is moving. Another problem I've had and many of us do this, is that when something is going wrong for me, I take my frustrations out on other people, which isn't fair to them, especially since they have their own trials too, so lately I've been trying (and I strongly suggest) to vent my anger on something inanimate, kinda like when they tell you to punch a stuffed animal. For me, venting is done in a few ways. 1: Go to my room and play my guitar. It soothes my nerves and gives me good distraction. 2: Put on a Keane CD and sing at the top of my lungs trying to hit the high notes. 3: Pop on the N64 and yell at the screen every time I crash into that stupid rock on Star wars racer. Maybe for you it's to call a friend and just tell them how you feel, sometimes your friends can see the good in a situation better than you can. Finally, pray: God is the smartest, most loving guy you'll ever find. He knows exactly what's supposed to happen to you, and has a precise plan for your life. Read his word: There is so much wisdom and knowledge for us to obtain through scripture. I haven't had any problems that couldn't at least be understood through God and his word. Be patient: Trials are all about time. Just stick through it, it will have to get better eventually.  I pray that you can find peace and strength through your trials, and see where God is taking you.

-Evan the Gleek