James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Think

"We are destined for difficulties, but our difficulties are not our destiny." We've all heard stories of athletes experiencing injuries - resulting in a few missed games, a missed season, or even the end of a career. Any athlete in this situation has a choice to make: will they throw in the towel or put in the work to make the comeback? After the Israelites were freed from Egypt and were on the brink of the promised land, they had a similar choice to make. Would they let their difficulties define them, or would they overcome their opposition? The Israelites fumbled the ball and ended up spending the next 40 years going in circles. In the same way, when we allow our focus to be on our problems and not God's promises it's easy for us to forget what winning looks like. God is coaching us to be winners! He is redirecting us toward the end zone of eternity - reminding us that this game is fixed and that our problems, if we let them, will produce perseverance!

Act

Make a commitment to memorize today's verse! The bible is full of verses like this one that will help you put your focus on God's promises instead of your problems. Write it down, or text it to yourself, and then set an alarm on your phone as a reminder throughout the day to read it.

Pray

Lord, thank you for fixing the game in my favor! I don't have to wander through life worried about the outcome of what I am facing because I know you've already won the victory. Coach me and draw me closer to you through any difficulties I face today. In Jesus' name, Amen.