I have been going through a dark time for a few months now. The way I’ve been coping is by watching TV, spending too much time on Facebook, reading the news to the point of depression, and anything else that could render my mind useless. Of course this is not the right way to handle my life! I started studying the book of James this week and remembered this post. It’s funny how our own words can come back to help us to help us at just the right time.
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. – James 1:2 – 4 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds. My favorite word in this passage is pure. We are not just talking about regular old joy, here. We’re not talking about the kind of giddy joy that comes from situational events such as getting an A+ on a paper, getting a good review at work, or becoming infatuated with someone new. We are talking about joy that has been refined by fire and is completely unblemished. Joy that comes from going through difficult trials and yet still praises God. This is the joy that’s not watered-down or tarnished by…
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Diary of a Quadriplegic 
Terri Nida…I confess I don’t read every blog notice I get…except for ones from you. You touch my heart; you bless my heart every time. I give thanks to the Father for your heart for Him that you share with others. And I ask that He bless you with knowing how He is using you. He has not forgotten; He is creating eternal fruit through you; He has taken captivity captive–even depression and paralyzed bodies to use it for our good and His glory. Thankfulness and love flowing out to you. Billie Jo
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Thank you, Billie Joe! You always encourage me.
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I’m rooting for you!
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God has great timing! I so needed that scripture. I’m with you on Facebook, TV shows, news, etc. and doing too much of that when trying to rest…and why??? It surely hasn’t made me feel restful or good about the world we live in…just unjoyful and feeling “down” for no real reason. Yes, the last 2 months have been exhausting for me emotionally and physically with my mom, my own health at times and preparing to have my best friend move to Texas!! But I am blessed with so much..husband, children, family, friends, job, my faith….so why do I feel so down? …so unsatisfied? ..so unfulfilled, so useless? You got me thinking about “pure” joy. I love these definitions of “pure” I found online:
1. free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes
2. containing nothing that does not properly belong
3. not directed toward exposition of reality or solution of practical problems
4. something pure has nothing mixed with it that might spoil its quality or effect.
All of these definitions are awesome. I want to feel that pure joy, that isn’t tainted or dependent on my life situations.
Thank you again for blogging and being an encouragement to me and others. God is using you!! And I’m grateful for every word you write – as you always lift my spirits and get my heart in the right place. xoxoxox
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Terri, I love this post. I love you. Marshele
Sent from Marshele’s iPhone
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Terri, you are something else!! Despite what has to be a massively frustrating situation, you continue to grow, plow ahead, and inch closer and closer to God and His purpose for you. You might be dependent on others for your physical needs, but you sure do help the rest of us with our spiritual needs! Very proud to know you!
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Terri, what can I say, apart from a number of others have said already. I will say AMEN!!
I have missed your posts, because they always bless, even this repeated one today. A reason each one blesses, is because I see how God is writing through you, for the benefit of many of us.
Looking forward to your next blog Terri, whenever it may be. God Bless You, Sister.
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Terri, Your writing is so beautiful and powerful in applying the scriptures. I am glad you already had this written down a year ago! You call us higher in the daily walk to prioritize what is of value because life happens to us all in different ways. As you are in the book of James, I think of James 4 stating that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. . . that God jealously desires the spirit which he made to dwell in us . . . that He gives grace to the humble and He will draw near to you if you draw near to Him. These are deep statements that we can easily skip unless we are truly struggling and need to know how to overcome Satan and our flesh. We are in a spiritual warfare and you are a teacher of the Word. Thanks to technology and your ability to inspire, we can see God more clearly through your life and convictions. I love you deeply, Gayle
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Hey honey! It’s Gretchen, from Binkley. I want you to know that I am thinking of and praying for you every day. I miss seeing you and being able to talk with you. You write beautifully, truthfully and purposefully. I’m following your diary. You are on the right path, and so many miracles are going to happen because of and for you. Anytime you would like to chat, please let me know. I love you❤️❤️❤️❤️
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