Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading was written by Kimya Yoder, and she titled it Growing in Faith.

At the beginning of my gardening journey, I'd wake up early and run to my vegetable garden to see if

anything had sprouted. Nothing. After an internet search for fast garden growth, I learned that the

seeding stage is the most important phase of a plant's lifespan. Knowing now that this process

couldn't be rushed, I came to appreciate the strength of

small sprouts fighting their way through the soil toward the sun and their resilience to temperamental

weather. After waiting patiently for a few weeks, I was finally greeted by bursts of green sprouts creeping through the

soil. Sometimes it's easy to praise the victories and triumphs in our lives without similarly

acknowledging that growth in our character often comes through time and struggle. James instructs us to consider it pure joy when we face trials of

many kinds. But what could possibly be delightful about trials? God will sometimes allow us to go

through challenges and hardships so that we can be molded into who he's called us to be.

He waits in anticipation for us to come out of the trials of life, mature and complete, not lacking

anything. By staying grounded in Jesus, we can persevere through any challenge, growing stronger and

ultimately allowing the fruit of the spirit to blossom in our lives. His wisdom gives us the

nourishment we need to truly flourish each and every day.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from James 1, verse 2 through 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.

Let's pray.

Dear Heavenly Father,

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