I just was reminded of this passage in James 1:

“5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do…

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”

What frustrations, problems or hardships are you suffering through? Keep asking God for wisdom, direction, patient endurance and keep asking Him “what do you want me to learn here Lord?” You are his prized possession and so He is preparing you for something special. God’s big plan for you is not to merely make you happy; it is also to make you holy. He wants you to become like Jesus – and for you and I that includes freedom from a life of bondage. It also means having a peace that flows despite suffering pain and hardship. It’s a supernatural peace only given by God. (Much like the Apostle Paul had despite all he went through). God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.

Talk to God every day, read His Word which contains all His promises, apply it, and fully trust in Him. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father. He never changes despite all the changes around us.

Here’s a great article I found that goes further… (this is a pdf file – simply right click and save to your desktop)

http://www.intouch.org/atf/cf/%7B7048F59B-0DA1-4C33-B958-6A013BEDB8A7%7D/LP080427.pdf

If you need a pdf reader for your computer, it’s a free software from Adobe which you can get here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/