I’m thinking today of a happy scene.In my imaginary picture, a few cows are standing in green grass chewing their cuds. A black fence stretches across the field with a red barn over to one side in the distance.

Above this tranquil scene, white fluffy clouds float in the light blue sky with streaks of sunshine pouring through. As my picture comes alive, the cows chew their cud, bending occasionally to grab another bite of grass.

Our picture is serene, predictable, and pleasant, kind of like those moments when all is right in our world. We’re contented as a cow shewing her cud.

But what do we do when thunderclouds form? The sky turns dark, lightning flashes, and torrents of rain beat down on us. We follow the cows into the barn for protection. As we stand shivering in the chill, we notice the cows shewing their cud again.

Thus is real life. All is well as we go along in predictable “chewable” patterns. We enjoy bites of good pleasure, when out of the blue, there’s a car wreck or a cancer diagnosis, a death, a disappointment, pangs of lonliness, failures, disagreemenst, or a heartache.

I’m thinking of friends who have recently experienced some of these very things. How do they cope? How do you cope? How do I cope when challenges come?

We talked last time about persevering during those tough times, how it builds our character and leads to hope. James gives us another word about perseverance.

Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kind because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. James 1:2-4

I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to consider trials as pure joy. I do understand how the testing of our faith forces us into persevering. When we “stick with it” many times over, it makes the next time more bearable.

In that way, we do mature, even from experience alone. As we mature we’re better able to take on the next test of our faith. In essence, we are learning to depend on God to give strength for each new trial.

In many ways, peseverance is closely related to persistance, doggedly keeping on with the task. It’s kind of like the cow chewing her cud.

Our spiritual cud consists of bringing up Scriture on a regular basis and rolling it around in our minds to glean its truths and practical applications. Our spiritual cud is making time to pray and fervantly seek His face.

These are the things that sustain us, that make it possible to persevere in stormy times, to learn and grow from our setbacks.

Keep chewing, my friend!

~ Joyce ~