A prayer for joy during trials by Emily Rose Massey, read by Lea Martin.

My brethren, count at all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing

of your faith produces patience.

James 1-2-3.

Being depleted and defeated was an understatement, because of all the hormonal imbalances and added

stress from the severe, chronic sleep deprivation caused by a baby who woke continually through

the night, I experienced depression on and off for months as a postpartum mother.

My marriage was also under so much strain, because I simply wasn't behaving like myself

whatsoever, and was on edge or emotional all the time.

As a Christian, it felt like such a fight to hold onto peace and hope and joy.

Knowing that true peace, hope and joy, aren't circumstantial, I really had to lean on God's

grace to get through every single day unlike any other time in my life.

I knew the Bible told me that I needed to count at all joy in the midst of these trials,

but I needed God to give me eyes to see the why behind that and empower me toward the

how as well.

We find in the opening of James's letter to the tribes of Israel, after his initial greeting,

he immediately begins exhorting and encouraging God's people, that the storms of life aren't

for no reason at all.

There's purpose within the pain.

James 1-2-3 says, My brethren, count at all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing

that the testing of your faith produces patience.

James 1-3 reveals that this sharpening or testing of our faith will cause patients in us

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